Russia has expanded its recruitment of mercenaries in Africa amid a military shortage, -. Bloomberg Russia has stepped up its recruitment of African citizens to fight the war against Ukraine, targeting low-income countries with weak democratic institutions. According to Bloomberg, citing a Ukrainian intelligence presentation, the campaign is intended to compensate for Russian military casualties and manpower shortages. After attempts by the Kenyan and South African authorities to limit the recruitment of their citizens, Russian recruiters turned their attention to Burundi, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Cameroon. Recruitment also began in Madagascar, where ties with Moscow tightened after the army came to power. From January to September 2026, Russia recruited 699 Burundian citizens, compared to 30 in all of 2025. The number of conscripts from Zimbabwe rose to 530, compared to 65 a year earlier. According to Ukrainian intelligence, false promises of civilian jobs are used to attract foreigners, for example, as drivers, cooks or transport workers. Candidates are also guaranteed high salaries, large payments and the opportunity to obtain Russian citizenship. Some advertisements do not directly mention participation in the war. At the same time, Russia effectively halted military recruitment in at least nine African countries, whose authorities began to oppose it. Instead of serving in the army, citizens of these countries began to be offered work in the Russian defense industry. The recruitment campaign is causing concern among African governments. Kenya and Ghana called on Moscow to stop recruiting their citizens, while South Africa and Botswana warned residents against dubious job offers in Russia. Two Russian citizens were arrested in Zimbabwe on suspicion of recruiting local residents.

Russia has expanded its recruitment of mercenaries in Africa amid a military shortage, -. Bloomberg Russia has stepped up its recruitment of African citizens to fight the war against Ukraine, targeting low-income countries with weak democratic institutions. According to Bloomberg, citing a Ukrainian intelligence presentation, the campaign is intended to compensate for Russian military casualties and manpower shortages. After attempts by the Kenyan and South African authorities to limit the recruitment of their citizens, Russian recruiters turned their attention to Burundi, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Cameroon. Recruitment also began in Madagascar, where ties with Moscow tightened after the army came to power. From January to September 2026, Russia recruited 699 Burundian citizens, compared to 30 in all of 2025. The number of conscripts from Zimbabwe rose to 530, compared to 65 a year earlier. According to Ukrainian intelligence, false promises of civilian jobs are used to attract foreigners, for example, as drivers, cooks or transport workers. Candidates are also guaranteed high salaries, large payments and the opportunity to obtain Russian citizenship. Some advertisements do not directly mention participation in the war. At the same time, Russia effectively halted military recruitment in at least nine African countries, whose authorities began to oppose it. Instead of serving in the army, citizens of these countries began to be offered work in the Russian defense industry. The recruitment campaign is causing concern among African governments. Kenya and Ghana called on Moscow to stop recruiting their citizens, while South Africa and Botswana warned residents against dubious job offers in Russia. Two Russian citizens were arrested in Zimbabwe on suspicion of recruiting local residents.