Zimbabwe says 15 nationals killed after being lured to fight for Russia

## Summary
Zimbabwe says 15 nationals killed after being lured to fight for Russia 19 minutes ago Share Save Basillioh Rukanga and Shingai Nyoka , Harare Share Save Reuters Hundreds of Africans have been lured to fight for Russia in the Russia-Ukraine war Zimbabwe says that 15 of its nationals have been killed after being recruited to fight for Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine, with more than 60 still trapped on the frontlines. The Zimbabwean case reflects a wider pattern seen across other African countries including Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, whose citizens have been enticed to join the war. You may also be interested in: Kenyans fighting illegally for Russia in Ukraine to be granted amnesty Lured by lucrative job offers and sent to fight for Russia - Kenyans want their sons back 'My skin was peeling' - the African women tricked into making Russian drones Ex-president's daughter resigns over allegations she duped South Africans to fight for Russia Getty Images/BBC Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica , on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Focus on Africa This Is Africa War in Ukraine Russia Zimbabwe Africa Ukraine

## Article Content
Zimbabwe says 15 nationals killed after being lured to fight for Russia
19 minutes ago
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Basillioh Rukanga
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Shingai Nyoka
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Harare
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Reuters
Hundreds of Africans have been lured to fight for Russia in the Russia-Ukraine war
Zimbabwe says that 15 of its nationals have been killed after being recruited to fight for Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine, with more than 60 still trapped on the frontlines.
Information Minister Zhemu Soda said the Zimbabweans had been 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," he said.
The Zimbabwe government says it is in talks with the Russian authorities to ensure the bodies are repatriated and those still alive return home safely.
It is 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 warned that the 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 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.
He said an agreement had been reached to stop deploying Kenyan nationals to fight in the war.
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.
You may also be interested in:
Kenyans fighting illegally for Russia in Ukraine to be granted amnesty
Lured by lucrative job offers and sent to fight for Russia - Kenyans want their sons back
'My skin was peeling' - the African women tricked into making Russian drones
Ex-president's daughter resigns over allegations she duped South Africans to fight for Russia
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Information Minister Zhemu Soda said the Zimbabweans had been 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," he said.

### Areas for Consideration
N/A

### Implications
- You may also be interested in: Kenyans fighting illegally for Russia in Ukraine to be granted amnesty Lured by lucrative job offers and sent to fight for Russia - Kenyans want their sons back 'My skin was peeling' - the African women tricked into making Russian drones Ex-president's daughter resigns over allegations she duped South Africans to fight for Russia Getty Images/BBC Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers russia, fight, africa topics. Notable strengths include discussion of russia. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 454.