In April, an investigation revealed that around 1,400 African nationals had been recruited to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine, with over 300 reportedly killed.
However, this number seems to have been understated as Liubov Abravitova, director of the Department of Africa and Regional African Organizations at Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, noted in a recent interview that the number is as high as 3000.
“The situation regarding Russia’s recruitment of mercenaries in African countries for the war against Ukraine is quite complicated,” Abravitova said.
According to data from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, as of May 1, 2026, at least 2,965 citizens from 36 African states are fighting or have fought as part of the Russian army against Ukraine,” she added.
Experts think the actual figure might be much higher, she continued. The diplomat stated that Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda are the primary African nations from which recruits are being selected.
