Russia steps up recruiting of Africans for its military
A Ukrainian intelligence presentation says Russia targeted Zimbabwe, Burundi and Sierra Leone in the first nine months of the year. It says 699 men from Burundi were recruited between January 1 and September 30, against 30 in all of 2025.
The presentation says Russia wants to counter a shortage of personnel. It also names the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar as targets. It describes the aim as "offsetting massive losses and a shortage of people to mobilise". Russia has never publicly acknowledged using foreigners to fight Ukraine.
The presentation says 530 Zimbabweans were recruited between January 1 and September 30, up from 65. It says 45 959 foreigners from 151 countries signed contracts with the Russian military, and 5 451 of them are African.
Kenyan politicians say Russia has recruited at least 1 000 Kenyan citizens. A UN commission based its findings on 245 interviews with recruits aged 18 to 60. It says recruits were sent mainly to carry out assaults and advance on the frontline.
The commission says recruits who refused faced detention, beatings and threats to be killed. It says many have been killed or gone missing. It also says a network of agents around the world, working with the Russian authorities, organised the transfer of recruits to Russia.
Key facts
- Who
- Musalia Mudavadi (Kenyan Foreign Minister); Dmitry Peskov (Kremlin spokesman); Vladimir Putin (President of Russia)
- What
- Russia is reportedly increasing recruitment of Africans to counter a personnel shortage, targeting dysfunctional states such as Zimbabwe, Burundi, DRC, Sierra Leone and Madagascar, according to a presentation linked to Ukraine's intelligence service. Russia has never publicly acknowledged using foreigners to fight Ukraine.
- When
- 26 October 2026
- Where
- Zimbabwe, Burundi, Sierra Leone
- Status
- Reported