Botswana has stopped eight of its citizens from being recruited into the Russian military after intercepting them at airports in Botswana, South Africa and Ethiopia, as the southern African country intensifies efforts to prevent its citizens from being drawn into the war in Ukraine.
International Relations Minister Phenyo Butale told parliament that the eight citizens were rescued before they could be taken to Russia and deployed to the battlefield, Bloomberg reported.
Botswana has issued repeated warnings about recruitment schemes targeting its citizens with promises of jobs, training and security work overseas.
According to Butale, some recruits only discover the true nature of the arrangements after arriving abroad and being sent toward the frontlines.
Botswana has identified about 22 citizens who were allegedly deceived through such schemes.
