African Men Deceived into Fighting for Russia in Ukraine Share Harrowing Experiences
African men who traveled to Russia with hopes of securing civilian employment have revealed they were instead forced into military service and deployed to the front lines of the war in Ukraine. Investigations and personal testimonies have uncovered a disturbing pattern of deception, coercion, and exploitation that has left families across the continent in anguish and fear.
Broken Promises and Military Coercion
Many African men were lured to Russia with promises of well-paying jobs as drivers, guards, or engineers, along with signing bonuses of up to $13,000, monthly salaries of $3,500, and eventual Russian citizenship. However, upon arrival, they found themselves trapped in a nightmare scenario. Several reported being forced to sign military contracts written entirely in Russian without translation or legal advice, while others had their passports confiscated, making escape virtually impossible.
One fighter revealed, "I've been here for seven months, and I haven't been paid a single cent. They keep promising to check but nothing happens." This financial deception compounds the physical dangers they face on the battlefield.
Personal Tragedy: The Story of Francis Ndung'u Ndarua
The case of Francis Ndung'u Ndarua, a 35-year-old Kenyan, illustrates the human cost of this exploitation. Unemployed and living with his mother, Francis paid approximately $620 to an agent who promised him employment as an electrical engineer in Russia. Instead, he was subjected to military training within weeks of arrival and deployed to Ukraine after just three weeks.
His mother, Anne Ndarua, has not heard from him since October 2025. Her fears were confirmed when a video surfaced in December showing Francis in military uniform, warning other Africans not to travel to Russia for work. "You'll end up being taken to the military even if you've never served, and you're taken to the frontline battle. And there are true killings. Many friends have died in the name of money," he said in the clip.
Days later, another distressing video went viral, showing Francis with a land mine strapped to his chest as a Russian speaker used racist slurs and described him as a "can-opener" meant to breach Ukrainian positions. Anne described the footage as unbearable and traumatizing, appealing to both Kenyan and Russian governments to bring these men home.
Systemic Racism and Minimal Training
African recruits have reported facing systemic racism, unpaid wages, and being sent into high-risk combat zones with minimal training. Some have witnessed fellow Africans die on the battlefield, with their bodies left for months without proper recovery. "The war here is very hot, and many people are dying on both sides. This was not the expectation of these guys who came to fight," one African fighter still in Ukraine stated.
Patrick Kwoba, a Kenyan who deserted after being wounded, summarized the dire situation bluntly: "So long as you've stepped in the Russian military, you escape or you die. There's no way that you're going to Russia and you'll come back alive."
Government Responses and International Concerns
Russia has not responded to allegations that recruits were misled or coerced into service. Meanwhile, several African governments, including Kenya and South Africa, have issued warnings to their citizens about such deceptive job offers. Ukraine has urged African states to shut down recruitment channels, with Ukraine's ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar, emphasizing, "This pipeline should be stopped."
A CNN investigation, which reviewed hundreds of messages, contracts, and travel records, along with interviews of African fighters still in Ukraine, confirms that Francis is among a growing number of Africans fighting for Russia under false pretenses. The findings highlight a recruitment tactic that preys on economic desperation, leaving vulnerable individuals trapped in a foreign conflict with little hope of return.
This situation raises serious ethical and humanitarian concerns, as families across Africa continue to search for answers and fear the worst for their loved ones caught in this deceptive web of recruitment and coercion.
