Men aged 20 to 39 ‘lured to join mercenary force’ in Donbas region have requested assistance to return home

It is unclear whether the citizens were fighting on behalf of Russia or Ukraine.

South African diplomats were working to rescue 17 South African men from Ukraine's Donbas region where they were engaged in "suspected mercenary activities."

Men aged 20 to 39 ‘lured to join mercenary force’ in Donbas region have requested assistance to return home