A GROWING number of Africans have found themselves recruited into Russia’s army since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While some volunteers joined private military companies linked to the Kremlin, others, like Samuel from Cameroon, were lured by false promises of well-paid jobs. Samuel’s experience reveals a disturbing pattern of exploitation and human trafficking that is contributing to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Samuel, who initially believed he was going to Russia to work as a caretaker, is now entrenched in a nightmare he never imagined. In a message sent to French broadcaster RFI in December 2024, he revealed the dire circumstances he faced after being forced onto the front lines of the war. He and other African recruits were not only deceived about the nature of their contracts, but were also subjected to extreme conditions and dangerous missions, with minimal support from Russian forces.
False promises and harsh reality
Samuel’s journey into this exploitative situation began in May 2024 when a friend named Patrice called him with an enticing offer. Tired of his low-paying job at the Ministry of Lands in Cameroon, Samuel was eager to seize an opportunity abroad. Patrice claimed he had found a well-paid job in Russia, though the details were vague. Samuel was promised a caretaker position with tasks like cleaning and cooking, but this was far from the truth.
Upon arriving in Russia, Samuel was shocked to find himself handed a Kalashnikov instead of a broom. He was quickly trained alongside other African recruits, many from North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and was sent to the frontlines of the Ukrainian conflict. He was forced to sign a contract under duress, and had no idea who he was fighting for or the terms of his employment. His situation grew even more desperate as he realised he and his fellow recruits were being sent into harm’s way while Russian soldiers remained in relatively safer positions.
Deception and human trafficking
As Samuel’s story unfolded, it became clear that his experience was part of a broader pattern of human trafficking. The agency that facilitated his recruitment, which Samuel identified as operating out of Cameroon, had promised him a lucrative job but instead delivered him to the frontlines of a war with no way out. Despite his attempts to contact the Cameroonian embassy for help, Samuel was met with indifference and inaction. He was told that his government had no knowledge of his situation, even though many other African nationals were in the same predicament.
‘I am trapped here,’ Samuel told RFI, ‘and nobody cares. Our governments have abandoned us.’
This exploitation of African recruits has been confirmed by multiple reports from other African countries, including Ghana and Sierra Leone, where nationals were similarly deceived into joining the Russian army. These recruits were promised salaries, benefits, and security, only to have their passports confiscated and forced into combat.
Riskiest missions: Africans on the frontlines
One of the most troubling aspects of these reports is the claim that African recruits, once enlisted, are often sent on the most dangerous missions, such as clearing minefields and engaging in direct combat. Samuel revealed that his unit was frequently tasked with frontline assaults, while Russian soldiers remained in camp, sending the African recruits to face heavy fire.
‘Every time we win, there is a heavy cost,’ he said, referring to the high casualties suffered by African soldiers. ‘Mines, drones, and constant attacks are decimating us. We have no backup, and we are sent out with minimal equipment.’
The situation became even more dangerous for these African recruits when they were threatened with torture or execution if they attempted to retreat. Samuel shared that some soldiers were even driven to self-harm to escape the frontline, shooting themselves in the hand to avoid being sent back into battle.
A global issue of human rights abuses
The exploitation of African soldiers in Ukraine is part of a wider issue involving Russia’s recruitment of foreign mercenaries. Reports suggest that soldiers from countries as varied as Nepal, Cuba, and several African nations have been coerced or deceived into joining the Russian military forces. These mercenaries are typically recruited through intermediary groups and promised large salaries, but upon arrival, they are forced into combat under false pretences.
These human rights violations have sparked outrage among human rights groups and governments. The Central African Republic, for example, has condemned the recruitment of its citizens by the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organisation. However, many of the African recruits remain stranded in Ukraine, with little hope of escaping their grim situation.
The growing toll on African lives
As the war drags on, more and more Africans are finding themselves entangled in Russia’s military operations, with many unknowingly participating in a war that is not their own. Their lives are at risk, and their plight remains largely ignored by the international community. Samuel’s story is one of many, and he is determined to speak out to prevent others from falling into the same trap.
‘What I want is to mobilise the Africans who are travelling to Russia, so they understand that they are being used,’ Samuel said. ‘We are not coming here to fight for Russia. We are coming here to die for a war we don’t understand.’
