African farmers have become the latest foreign nationals allegedly lured by Moscow into fighting in Ukraine, according to a report by The Telegraph.
The report states they were promised jobs in Russia but were instead sent to the front lines. Victims like Jean Onana, a Cameroonian father of three, said he was specifically promised work at a shampoo factory in Moscow but was ultimately trained and deployed to fight in Ukraine.
Similar accounts have come from nationals of Ghana and Zimbabwe.
Russia has previously confirmed that thousands of North Korean soldiers have joined its forces in the war in Ukraine.
The new report comes amid Russia’s urgent need for large numbers of fighters to offset heavy casualties in its prolonged three-year offensive. The U.S.-based think tank, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies recently reported that nearly one million Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the assault began.
In response, Ukraine has opened a new embassy in Mauritania as part of a broader effort to expand its influence in Africa and counter Russia’s entrenched presence. According to Reuters, the embassy is one of eight established since 2022 and supports humanitarian and military initiatives across the region.
Ukraine now operates 18 embassies across Africa and plans further expansion, including a mission in Sudan. While its footprint remains smaller than Russia’s, Ukrainian diplomats said they are focused on building sustainable partnerships through trade, training, and aid, not force.
Beyond defense ties, Ukraine has shipped 300,000 tons of food aid to a dozen African countries under its “Grain from Ukraine” program. It is also pursuing long-term agricultural partnerships, including with the Republic of the Congo.
Russia, by contrast, maintains around 40 diplomatic missions in Africa and provides security support through troops and mercenaries, particularly in the Sahel. Moscow also remains the continent’s largest arms supplier, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
