Russia is recruiting an increasing number of Africans to fight its war against Ukraine amid troop shortages, Bloomberg reports. Russian recruitment efforts have increased in Burundi and Zimbabwe, according to Bloomberg, citing Ukrainian intelligence. Figures show that 699 people were recruited from Burundi in 2026, a sharp increase from 30 during 2025. The number of recruits from Zimbabwe increased to 530, compared to 65 in 2025. Recruitment also increased in Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the report, several African governments have already expressed concern about these recruitment tactics. People are lured to Russia with false promises of civilian employment, just to get to the battlefield. In total, the intelligence services identified 45,959 foreign nationals from 151 countries who signed contracts with the Russian military. This figure includes 5,451 citizens from African countries.

Russia is recruiting an increasing number of Africans to fight its war against Ukraine amid troop shortages, Bloomberg reports. Russian recruitment efforts have increased in Burundi and Zimbabwe, according to Bloomberg, citing Ukrainian intelligence. Figures show that 699 people were recruited from Burundi in 2026, a sharp increase from 30 during 2025. The number of recruits from Zimbabwe increased to 530, compared to 65 in 2025. Recruitment also increased in Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the report, several African governments have already expressed concern about these recruitment tactics. People are lured to Russia with false promises of civilian employment, just to get to the battlefield. In total, the intelligence services identified 45,959 foreign nationals from 151 countries who signed contracts with the Russian military. This figure includes 5,451 citizens from African countries.