Kyiv has accused Russia of actively recruiting fighters from across Africa, alleging that 272 Ghanaian citizens and approximately 1,700 nationals from other African countries are currently fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. The claim emerged during a meeting Wednesday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to the Ukrainian government, these recruits are not acting under the authorization of African governments, but are instead victims of criminal networks that promise lucrative employment opportunities in Russia. Ablakwa echoed this assessment, stating that the Ghanaians who traveled to fight “are victims of manipulation, disinformation” perpetrated by “criminal trafficking networks” who falsely advertise “decent work” in Russia. He emphasized that these individuals lack any prior military or security experience, having been “simply attracted, then deceived and sent to the front lines.”
The revelation comes as several African nations, including Kenya and Uganda, have begun to uncover the fate of their citizens who were enticed to join the Russian military, often resulting in death or capture in Ukraine. Reports from late 2025 indicate that prisoners of war from Kenya, Togo, Cameroon, and Nigeria were being held in Ukrainian prisons. Earlier accounts from Kenyan nationals who managed to return home detailed encounters with dozens of African fighters – from Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, and South Africa – in Russian training camps and on the battlefield.
These individuals reportedly accepted offers of well-compensated civilian jobs in Russia, only to find themselves forcibly conscripted into the Russian army and deployed to Ukraine. Ablakwa discussed the issue with Zelensky, and Ghana is now seeking the release of two of its citizens currently held as prisoners of war after being tricked into fighting for Russia, according to reports from Kyiv.
During the meeting, Zelensky thanked Ablakwa for the historic visit – the first by a Ghanaian Foreign Minister to Ukraine – and highlighted the importance of countering Russian recruitment efforts. He stated that their teams would remain in contact to address the issue. Zelensky also expressed gratitude for Ghana’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and for its backing of Ukraine’s positions in UN General Assembly resolutions.
Ghana is currently negotiating a defense cooperation agreement with Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Ablakwa hoping to finalize the agreement during a potential meeting between Zelensky and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. The discussions also covered broader areas of economic and educational cooperation, including expanding opportunities for Ghanaian students to study at Ukrainian universities. Ghana is slated to chair the African Union next year, a position Zelensky stressed could be used to deepen ties between Ukraine and the continent.
Ukraine estimates that nearly 20,000 foreign fighters are participating in the invasion, in addition to fighters from North Korea who are engaged following an agreement between the two states. While citizens of former Soviet republics and Central Asia comprise a portion of this contingent, Russia is actively seeking recruits from Africa, Latin America, and other regions of Asia.
