Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Hundreds of African citizens have been recruited to join the রাশিয়া-ইউক্রেন war in recent years (file photo)
Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Hundreds of African citizens have been recruited to join the রাশিয়া-ইউক্রেন war in recent years (file photo)। Nine foreigners have been arrested in দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা after they were caught allegedly trying to leave the country to fight in the war between রাশিয়া and the ইউক্রেন, পুলিশ say.। The group, aged between 20 and 26, were arrested in and around Johannesburg by a multidisciplinary team on Sunday evening.।
They were caught as they were "preparing to board flights out of the country", authorities added, but their final destination is unclear.। The group is accused of contravening দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা's laws, which outlaw mercenary activity without সরকার permission.। পুলিশ said the group were arrested at দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা's biggest airport, OR Tambo, and a hotel in Bruma, east of Johannesburg by a multidisciplinary team that involved Interpol.।
The পুলিশ বিবৃতি added that the involvement of Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies indicated that the suspects had also allegedly violated laws in their respective home countries, prompting cooperation with South African authorities.। Authorities declined to disclose the group's nationalities but confirmed that none of them resided in দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা.। They have also not said whether the group allegedly intended to fight for রাশিয়া or ইউক্রেন nor provided details of the organisations allegedly involved in facilitating their travel.।
Citizens of several African countries, including Kenya, Ghana and দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা, have gone to fight for রাশিয়া in ইউক্রেন - some they had been duped and had not realised where they were going.। A Ukrainian intelligence assessment estimated earlier this year that more than 1,700 people from 36 countries in Africa have been recruited to fight for রাশিয়া.। Kenya at the time estimated that 252 citizens had been illegally conscripted in রাশিয়া. In March, পররাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রী Musalia Mudavadi visited Moscow to address the issue.।
He said at the time that an চুক্তি had been reached to stop recruiting Kenyan nationals.। In February, Ghana said that 55 of its citizens had been killed in the conflict, with 272 believed to have been lured to fight since the war started in 2022.। The same month, দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা secured the return of 17 South Africans who were allegedly tricked into joining the war.।
In December last year, South African authorities arrested five people, including a journalist, for allegedly recruiting people to join the war.। ইউক্রেন has also been recruiting foreign nationals, including from Africa.। The nine arrested are expected to appear in court either later on Monday or Tuesday.।
Lured by lucrative job offers and sent to fight for রাশিয়া - Kenyans want their sons back। Published6 December 2025'I'm Kenyan, don't shoot' - the athlete who says he was duped into the Russian army। Published22 September 2025'My skin was peeling' - the African women tricked into making Russian drones।
Published5 November 2025Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.।
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