Zimbabwe's Information Minister Zhemu Soda announced that 15 of the country's nationals have been killed after being recruited to fight for Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine, with over 60 more still trapped on the frontlines. The minister stated that the Zimbabweans were lured by shadowy agencies promising lucrative jobs abroad, using "social media platforms as their primary hunting ground."

"It is a sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation, and human trafficking that has already resulted in the loss of Zimbabwean lives," Soda said. He added that the Zimbabwean government is in talks with Russian authorities to ensure the bodies are repatriated and those still alive return home safely.

This marks the first time the country has acknowledged that dozens of its nationals are in military service to Russia. Soda warned Zimbabweans to exercise caution regarding overseas job offers, urging them to verify opportunities through official channels. He noted that recruiters often disappear once a recruit is injured, captured, or killed, leaving relatives with no financial support or information.

The Zimbabwean case reflects a wider pattern seen across other African countries, including Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, whose citizens have also been enticed to join the war. A Ukrainian intelligence assessment has estimated that more than 1,700 people from 36 countries in Africa have been recruited to fight for Russia. Kenya estimates that 252 citizens have been illegally conscripted in Russia, and last week Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi visited Moscow to address the matter.

Last month, Ghana said that 55 of its citizens had been killed in the conflict, with about 272 believed to have been lured to fight since the war started in 2022. The same month, South Africa secured the return of 17 South Africans who were allegedly tricked into joining the war. These incidents highlight the severe humanitarian and social costs of the conflict for the African continent, posing new challenges in international relations.

Source: www.bbc.com