Ukraine has called on African governments and media organisations to take decisive action to counter what it says are Russian programmes recruiting African youth to fight against Ukraine, according to statements by senior Ukrainian officials.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi said Russia’s recruitment activities across Africa were becoming increasingly visible and required a coordinated response.

“Russia’s illicit recruiting efforts in Africa make headlines across the continent, from Kenya to Botswana, and backfire on Moscow. What has been revealed thus far is likely just the tip of the iceberg,” Tykhyi said in a post on X.

“We urge all African media and governments to take bold action to stop Russian programs that are luring youth throughout the continent into its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.”

His plea comes as the South African government seeks to safe return of 17 citizens allegedly duped into being deployed on Russian front lines in the war in Ukraine, and some two months after Kenya began investigating alleged recruitment by a resident Russian diplomat.

Tykhyi also pointed to what he described as a sharp increase in scholarships being offered by Russia to African students in the coming academic year, suggesting the initiative had ulterior motives. “Surely no one should be so naive as to believe that this is about education,” he added.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that combating Russian recruitment efforts would require systemic countermeasures. These include issuing official warnings to citizens to raise awareness, as well as pursuing legal action to expose and disrupt recruitment networks and bring those responsible to justice.

The comments follow remarks by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on November 7, when he said that at least 1,436 citizens from 36 African countries were currently fighting against Ukraine as part of the Russian army.

Sybiha said Russia was recruiting African citizens through multiple channels, without detailing specific mechanisms, and warned that the practice posed risks both to the individuals involved and to African states.

He urged African governments to take a more public stance on the issue. The Ukrainian foreign minister called on African countries to publicly warn their citizens against joining the Russian army, arguing that greater awareness and official guidance were essential to curbing recruitment.

Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of expanding its influence operations across Africa since the start of the war, while Moscow has denied allegations of illegal recruitment and maintains that foreign nationals serve voluntarily under Russian law.

The recruitment of Africans allegedly tricked into fighting for Russia has drawn growing scrutiny from African governments, rights groups and investigators, amid reports that foreign nationals were misled with promises of work, training or migration benefits before being deployed to front-line units in the war in Ukraine.

Rights organisations say the pattern reflects a broader vulnerability among young men facing unemployment and migration barriers, making them susceptible to deceptive recruitment networks operating across borders. Russia has denied wrongdoing in past cases, insisting that foreign nationals serving in its armed forces do so voluntarily.

In November 2023, the Zambian government confirmed that two Zambian students studying in Russia had been killed while fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine. Officials said the men had been recruited from prison after being convicted on minor charges, reportedly in exchange for reduced sentences. Lusaka formally requested explanations from Moscow.

Tanzanian authorities acknowledged that Tanzanian nationals had been recruited into Russian military service after travelling to Russia for work or study. One Tanzanian was confirmed killed in Ukraine in 2023. The government warned citizens against accepting unverified job offers abroad.

Cameroonian media and diplomatic sources have reported cases of young men travelling to Russia for work or football trials and later being deployed to combat zones. Families have said communication ceased after their relatives were transferred to military units.

Senegalese officials have confirmed investigating reports of nationals recruited into Russian forces, with some families alleging their relatives were misled about the nature of the work. Dakar has issued public warnings about recruitment scams linked to foreign conflicts.

Ugandan authorities have also acknowledged reports of nationals recruited in Russia, often after travelling on student or work visas. Officials said some were later assigned to military roles, prompting government advisories.

An Associated Press investigation last October found that women from African countries were recruited with promises of work-study programmes, hospitality, training, or other civil roles. Instead, many ended up in a factory in Russia assembling military drones for use in the Ukraine conflict.