Zimbabwe has confirmed that 15 of its nationals have been killed after being recruited to fight for Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine, with more than 60 others reportedly trapped on the frontlines.
Information Minister Zhemu Soda said the Zimbabweans were lured by shadowy agencies promising lucrative jobs abroad, primarily using social media platforms to recruit unsuspecting citizens.
“It is a sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation, and human trafficking that has already resulted in the loss of Zimbabwean lives,” Soda said.
The Zimbabwean government is in talks with Russian authorities to ensure the bodies of the deceased are repatriated and that those still alive can return home safely. This marks the first time Zimbabwe has publicly acknowledged that dozens of its citizens are serving in the Russian military.
Soda urged Zimbabweans to exercise caution with overseas job offers, advising that all opportunities be verified through official channels. He highlighted that recruiters often disappear once a recruit is injured, captured, or killed, leaving families without support or information.
The Zimbabwean case mirrors a wider trend across Africa. According to a Ukrainian intelligence assessment, more than 1,700 people from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia.
Kenya estimates that 252 citizens have been illegally conscripted, prompting Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi to visit Moscow, where an agreement was reached to halt further deployments.
Similarly, Ghana reported last month that 55 of its nationals had been killed in the conflict, with about 272 believed to have been lured to fight since the war began in 2022. South Africa also recently secured the return of 17 citizens who had been tricked into joining the conflict.
The situation underscores growing concerns over deceptive recruitment practices targeting African citizens for foreign conflicts, prompting governments to take protective and diplomatic measures.
