Zimbabwe has confirmed 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 stranded on the frontlines.
Information Minister Zhemu Soda revealed that the Zimbabweans had been enticed by covert agencies offering lucrative jobs abroad through “social media platforms as their primary hunting ground”.
“This represents a sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation, and human trafficking that has already claimed Zimbabwean lives,” he stated.
The Zimbabwean government has confirmed it is engaging with Russian authorities to facilitate the repatriation of the deceased and the safe return of those still alive.
This marks the first official acknowledgment from the country regarding dozens of its citizens serving in military capacities for Russia.
Soda cautioned Zimbabweans to be vigilant about overseas job opportunities, advising them to verify positions through official government channels.
He noted that recruiters typically vanish when a recruit is injured, captured, or killed, leaving families without financial support or information.
The Zimbabwean situation mirrors trends observed in other African nations such as Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, whose citizens have also been drawn into the conflict.
Ukrainian intelligence estimates indicate that over 1,700 individuals from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia.
Kenya reports that 252 of its citizens have been illegally conscripted in Russia, with Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi visiting Moscow last week to address the issue.
He announced an agreement had been reached to halt the deployment of Kenyan nationals to the warzone.
Last month, Ghana disclosed that 55 of its citizens had died in the conflict, with approximately 272 believed to have been misled into joining since the war began in 2022.
During the same period, South Africa successfully brought home 17 South Africans who were allegedly deceived into participating in the war.