Kenyans Reportedly Fighting in Russia‘s War, Recruitment Networks Under Scrutiny
NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenyan government has expressed concern and launched an investigation into reports that its citizens are being recruited to fight alongside Russian forces in the war in Ukraine, according to multiple sources. The revelation comes as Serbia navigates potential ownership changes in its oil company NIS, currently controlled by Russian energy giant Gazprom, due to US sanctions.
The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is investigating alleged recruitment networks promising lucrative contracts to young Kenyans, some of whom are reportedly ending up on the front lines in Ukraine.Details remain scarce, but officials are working to verify the claims and determine the extent of the recruitment operation.
This development occurs amidst broader geopolitical shifts impacting energy markets and international alliances. One month after US sanctions targeted the Serbian oil company NIS,controlled by Gazprom,Russia is reportedly negotiating its withdrawal from the company. Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic stated on Instagram that the Russian owners of NIS have applied to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for an operating license extension, indicating “that the Russian side is ready to hand over control and influence over NIS to a third party.”
While a potential buyer has not been identified, the Serbian government has ”officially supported” the Russian request, with OFAC expected to respond this week. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed talks between “the Russian state (…) and a third party” and emphasized his commitment to “protect Serbian interests,” speaking on government-affiliated station Pink TV.
NIS holds a meaningful stake in Gazprom Neft (45 percent) and supplies over 80 percent of Serbia’s diesel and gasoline needs. Gazprom previously transferred an 11 percent stake to Intelligence, a St. Petersburg-based company also linked to the Russian energy group, in September. The serbian state owns nearly 30 percent of NIS, with the remainder held by minority shareholders.
Meanwhile,in Ukraine,anti-corruption investigators have accused a close confidant of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,Timur mindich,of widespread corruption. A representative of the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office (Sapo) told the court on Tuesday that Mindich allegedly used “amiable relations with the President of Ukraine” to unlawfully enrich himself through criminal activities.
Sources:
* https://www.t-online.de/themen/pink/
* https://www.t-online.de/themen/gazprom/
* https://www.t-online.de/themen/wolodymyr-selenskyj/
