Afrikanska män lurade att kriga för Ryssland

African men say Russia duped them into fighting in Ukraine

Several African governments, including Botswana, Uganda, South Africa and Kenya, have acknowledged the scale of the problem. Local media have detailed how citizens were duped into becoming mercenaries for Russia in Ukraine and officials have warned others against following suit.

CNN spoke with 12 African fighters still in Ukraine – from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda – who said they were offered civilian jobs such as drivers or security guards. Most said they were promised a signing bonus of $13,000, monthly salaries as high as $3,500, and Russian citizenship at the end of their service.

Russia’s Defense and Foreign Ministries have not responded to CNN’s request for comment on allegations that some recruits were misled or coerced. CNN also reached out to the Russian embassy in Nairobi for comment.