Russia is shifting its recruitment focus for its war in Ukraine to people from countries including Burundi and Zimbabwe, according to Ukrainian intelligence findings reported by Bloomberg, as it seeks to replace soldiers lost in the fighting.
The move follows efforts by Kenya and South Africa to stop their citizens from joining the Russian army. The Ukrainian research identified almost 700 Burundians who had reportedly signed contracts with the Russian military, along with 530 Zimbabweans, and more than 5,400 Africans who had joined the army overall. Recruitment was also reported to be rising in Cameroon, DR Congo, Sierra Leone and Sudan.
A new UN report found that Russian authorities trafficked men from 29 countries into their army through deception and coercion. Putin's government has repeatedly denied illegally recruiting Africans, but the allegations have caused friction with African governments, and experts say the war in Ukraine is straining Russia's resources and limiting what it can deliver economically.
The news came on the eve of a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, where President Vladimir Putin is seeking to expand trade and investment across the continent.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Moscow's need to recruit abroad points to persistent pressure on its forces as the war in Ukraine continues.
- The allegations have strained Russia's ties with African governments, which are taking steps to keep their citizens out of the Russian military.
- A UN report alleging trafficking adds a legal and humanitarian dimension that could shape the agenda at the Russia-Africa summit.
Background
Russia has long sought influence in Africa through military cooperation, arms sales and economic ties, a strategy with roots in the Soviet era. The war in Ukraine has increased Moscow's need for manpower and drawn international sanctions, while Russia continues to court African governments. The recruitment allegations sit within a wider contest for influence on the continent.
Key Perspectives
- Ukrainian intelligence, cited by Bloomberg: reports Russia is recruiting people from Burundi, Zimbabwe and other African nations, and identified more than 5,400 Africans who had joined the army.
- The UN report: found that Russian authorities trafficked men from 29 countries into the army through deception and coercion.
- Putin's government: has repeatedly denied illegally recruiting Africans.
- Experts: say the war in Ukraine is straining Russia's resources and limiting what it can deliver economically.
- Kenya and South Africa: have moved to stop their citizens from joining the Russian army.
What to Watch
- The Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, where Putin's push for trade and investment collides with the recruitment allegations.
- Whether African governments respond to the UN trafficking report with new restrictions on enlistment.
- Further Ukrainian intelligence reporting on recruitment numbers in Cameroon, DR Congo, Sierra Leone and Sudan.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- Partly supportedRussia is shifting its Ukraine-war recruitment to African countries, according to Ukrainian intelligence.Semafor: “Russia is shifting its recruitment focus for its war in Ukraine to people from countries including Burundi and Zimbabwe, as it seeks to replace soldiers lost in the fighting, according to Ukrainian intelligence findings reported by Bloomberg.”
- SupportedA UN report says men from 29 countries were trafficked into the Russian army through deception and coercion.Semafor: “A new UN report found that Russian authorities trafficked men from 29 countries into their army through deception and coercion.”
- SupportedRussia is shifting recruitment towards people from countries including Burundi and Zimbabwe to replace soldiers lost in the fighting, according to Ukrainian intelligence findings reported by Bloomberg.Semafor: “Russia is shifting its recruitment focus for its war in Ukraine to people from countries including Burundi and Zimbabwe, as it seeks to replace soldiers lost in the fighting, according to Ukrainian intelligence findings reported by Bloomberg.”
- SupportedThe move follows efforts by Kenya and South Africa to stop their citizens from joining the Russian army.Semafor: “The move follows efforts by Kenya and South Africa to stop their citizens from joining the Russian army.”
- Partly supportedAlmost 700 Burundians had reportedly signed contracts with the Russian military, and the Ukrainian research identified that figure.Semafor: “Almost 700 Burundians have reportedly signed contracts with the Russian military, along with 530 Zimbabweans. Overall, the Ukrainian research identified more than 5,400 Africans who had joined the army”
- Partly supported530 Zimbabweans had reportedly signed contracts with the Russian military, and the Ukrainian research identified that figure.Semafor: “Almost 700 Burundians have reportedly signed contracts with the Russian military, along with 530 Zimbabweans. Overall, the Ukrainian research identified more than 5,400 Africans who had joined the army”
- SupportedThe Ukrainian research identified more than 5,400 Africans who had joined the Russian army overall.Semafor: “Overall, the Ukrainian research identified more than 5,400 Africans who had joined the army”
- SupportedRecruitment was also rising in Cameroon, DR Congo, Sierra Leone and Sudan.Semafor: “with recruitment also rising in Cameroon, DR Congo, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.”
- SupportedPutin’s government has repeatedly denied illegally recruiting Africans.Semafor: “Putin’s government has repeatedly denied illegally recruiting Africans”
- SupportedThe allegations have caused friction with African governments.Semafor: “the allegations have caused friction with African governments”
- SupportedExperts say the war in Ukraine is straining Russia’s resources and limiting what it can deliver economically.Semafor: “experts say the war in Ukraine is straining Russia’s resources and limiting what it can deliver economically.”
- SupportedThe news came on the eve of a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, where Putin is seeking to expand trade and investment across the continent.Semafor: “The news came on the eve of a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, with President Vladimir Putin seeking to expand trade and investment across the continent.”