Russia Changes Strategy For Recruiting African Mercenaries For War In Ukraine CCD

RunWithRugs · 2026-03-12T01:30:16+00:00

The Center for Countering Disinformation reports that Russia is increasingly using its diplomatic missions in Africa to recruit individuals for its war effort, misleading them with false job promises and exploiting vulnerable youth, despite some governments' protests.

RunWithRugs

2026-03-12 01:30:16

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(MENAFN- UkrinForm) According to Ukrinform, the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine reported this on Facebook.

According to the center, researchers at the Robert Lansing Institute have drawn attention to this trend.

Previously, recruitment mainly relied on semi-legal schemes and unofficial channels, including closed groups in messaging apps, front companies, and employment intermediaries. Now, however, Russian diplomatic and cultural missions on the continent are increasingly acting as recruitment centers.

According to available data, more than 1,400 citizens of African countries who fought on Russia’s side have already been identified.

** Read also:** Russia changes its political strategy in Africa – CCD

In addition, the deaths of at least 316 individuals have been confirmed, with a significant number of them killed less than a month after arriving at the front.

It is noted that many of them were misled during the recruitment stage, being promised jobs in the civilian sector.

After strong reactions from the governments of several African countries, Russia stopped recruiting their citizens and formed an unofficial “blacklist” of those states. Instead, recruitment continues in other countries on the continent.

“Despite rhetoric about ‘friendship with Africa’ and fighting colonialism, the Kremlin is effectively exploiting the continent’s vulnerable youth as a resource for its war,” the Center concluded.

As Ukrinform reported, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said during a briefing in Kyiv that Africans are being recruited for Russia’s war against Ukraine by criminal human trafficking networks using manipulation and disinformation.

Photo: HUR

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