Russia continues recruiting citizens from Africa for the Ukraine front; prisoners want to return to Moscow, not repatriation

According to Ukrainian government data, Moscow has drawn in around 3,000 individuals from 36 African states since the start of the offensive in February 2022, in an effort to fill the ranks of its armed forces.

The accounts of some of these soldiers who fell into the hands of Kyiv’s troops offer a more nuanced picture. In testimonies published by Politico, they stress that they joined the Russian side entirely voluntarily, driven mainly by financial need rather than coercion, adding that their desired destination after a possible prisoner exchange is not their homeland, but Russia.

A young man of Congolese origin, identified by the nickname “Avatar”, recounted that he now sees Russia as his country. “I have a family in Russia. Why would I go back to Congo? Ukraine believes we will take up arms again, but I want to return to Russia,” he declared.

Meanwhile, another prisoner, an Egyptian named “Cairo”, insists the recruitment process was completely transparent. He dismissed claims of deception, asserting: “When you sign the contract, the duties you will take on are explained openly. It is not true that Africans were deceived.”

Despite these claims, Kyiv continues to accuse Moscow of treating these nationals as “cannon fodder”, luring them with tempting job offers and hefty salaries. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, has previously described this phenomenon as an alarming trend and revealed that a number of African officials have approached Kyiv for support in bringing their fellow citizens home.

According to information, the payments offered by the Russian side include an immediate bonus upon signing of approximately 13,000 dollars and guaranteed monthly income of at least 2,000 dollars. These figures are extremely enticing when compared to the average standard of living in most of Sub-Saharan Africa.

This phenomenon has turned into a new front in the diplomatic clash between Moscow and Kyiv over influence on the African continent. Although Ukraine has expanded its diplomatic presence in the region, the Russian Federation retains an advantage thanks to a denser network of embassies and ties inherited from the Soviet Union era.

Moreover, some of the captured Africans have sent a direct message to Ukraine: if Kyiv truly wants to strengthen alliances with African states, then it must also include them in prisoner exchange negotiations, so that they have the chance to return to Russia, which they now consider home.