Russia expands recruitment of fighters in African countries for war against Ukraine
Bloomberg reports that Russia has widened the range of African countries where it recruits men for its war in Ukraine. The number recruited in Burundi and Zimbabwe has risen sharply.
Russia has stepped up the recruitment of men in several African countries to use them in its war against Ukraine, news agency Bloomberg reports, citing its sources. According to the agency, Moscow is focusing on countries with a low level of democracy, limited press freedom and weak judicial systems. The development matters because it points to Russian efforts to fill wartime manpower shortages with people from abroad.
Figures from a presentation
Bloomberg refers to a presentation obtained by people familiar with the work of Ukrainian intelligence services. It says that between 1 January and 30 September Russia recruited 699 men in Burundi, compared with 30 during all of 2025. Among Zimbabwean citizens, 530 were recruited this year, against 65 last year.
A notable rise in recruitment has also been observed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Cameroon.
Why the focus has shifted
Moscow expanded recruitment after Kenya and South Africa introduced restrictions to stop men from leaving the country and taking part in Russia's war. According to Bloomberg, Russia's mobilisation programme is aimed at compensating for huge losses and a shortage of people available for mobilisation.
How people are persuaded
Given the relative poverty in Africa, people can be persuaded more easily to travel to Russia, often with false promises of civilian jobs, for example in catering or transport. Recruits are also offered substantial one-off payments on signing a contract, high salaries and the chance to obtain Russian citizenship.
Concern over Russian recruitment activities is growing in several African countries.
