Zimbabwe has become the latest African country to confirm that its citizens were fraudulently recruited into Russia’s war against Ukraine, announcing that 15 of its nationals have died and that authorities are working to repatriate 66 others.
Information Minister Zhemu Soda said in Harare late Wednesday that the victims were targeted by “fraudulent” recruitment networks posing as employment agencies, which used social media to advertise lucrative jobs.
Once in Russia, he said, the recruits had their travel documents confiscated and were “coerced into active combat” with little or no training.
“They receive little to no training and are placed in life-threatening situations,” the minister said.
“When they are injured, killed or captured, the recruiters vanish, leaving families in Zimbabwe with no information, no support and no one to hold accountable. In many cases, the promised remuneration is never paid.”
Zimbabwe’s disclosure adds to growing evidence that Russia has been drawing Africans into the conflict through deceptive recruitment schemes.
Governments in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria have reported similar cases in recent months, with nationals tricked into travelling to Russia for supposed security or industrial jobs before being deployed to the front lines.
It is alleged that recruitment networks operating across Africa and Asia use social media advertisements and private agencies to lure workers with promises of work‑study programmes or civilian employment, only for many to end up signing military contracts.
Several recruits reported that their passports were seized and they were forced into combat with minimal preparation.
Soda said Zimbabwe, which maintains close ties with Moscow, is now working to bring home survivors and repatriate the remains of those killed.
He urged citizens to be vigilant against fraudulent job offers circulating online, warning that the schemes have become increasingly sophisticated and widespread.
JN/APA