To compensate for the heavy losses in Ukraine, Russia began to expand its military recruitment from the poorest countries in Africa. According to a Ukrainian intelligence report, Russia has stepped up efforts to recruit troops in some of Africa's poorest countries to compensate for heavy casualties and troop shortages in Ukraine. The number of recruits increased significantly in Burundi (699, compared to 30 in 2025) and Zimbabwe (530, compared to 65), and increases in the number of recruits were also reported in Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The increase in recruitment follows warnings from several African governments about recruitment practices, including false promises of civilian jobs. Ukraine says it has identified 45,959 foreign nationals from 151 countries that have signed military contracts with Russia, including 5,451 from Africa./Bloomberg.

To compensate for the heavy losses in Ukraine, Russia began to expand its military recruitment from the poorest countries in Africa. According to a Ukrainian intelligence report, Russia has stepped up efforts to recruit troops in some of Africa's poorest countries to compensate for heavy casualties and troop shortages in Ukraine. The number of recruits increased significantly in Burundi (699, compared to 30 in 2025) and Zimbabwe (530, compared to 65), and increases in the number of recruits were also reported in Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The increase in recruitment follows warnings from several African governments about recruitment practices, including false promises of civilian jobs. Ukraine says it has identified 45,959 foreign nationals from 151 countries that have signed military contracts with Russia, including 5,451 from Africa./Bloomberg.