Ghana Says 55 Citizens Killed in Russia–Ukraine War Amid Concerns Over Recruitment

Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomes Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa before a meeting.

At least 55 Ghanaians have been killed while fighting in Russia’s war with Ukraine after being “lured into battle,” Ghana’s foreign minister said following a visit to Kyiv, where Ukrainian officials raised concerns about the recruitment of African nationals into the Russian military.

In a post on X, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said authorities had been informed that 272 Ghanaians were believed to have been recruited since 2022, with an estimated 55 killed and two captured as prisoners of war.

Reports of African men being drawn to Russia by employment offers and later deployed to Ukraine’s frontlines have increased in recent months, contributing to diplomatic sensitivities between Moscow and several African governments. Russian authorities have denied illegally recruiting African citizens to participate in the conflict.

Kenyan national Evans Kibet was captured while fighting for Russian forces on the Ukrainian front and is now a PoW.

Speaking at a joint media briefing in Kyiv, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said more than 1,780 Africans from 36 countries were currently serving in the Russian army, according to Ukrainian assessments. The figures could not be independently verified.

Ghana maintains diplomatic and economic relations with Russia. Ablakwa said Accra intends to intensify public awareness campaigns and dismantle what he described as “dark web illegal recruitment schemes” operating within Ghana’s jurisdiction. “This is not our war,” he wrote, adding that the government would work to prevent young people from being drawn into the conflict through financial inducements.

He also said two captured Ghanaian nationals had cautioned others against accepting offers tied to military service in the war.

Susan Kuloba hasn’t seen her eldest child, David, since he left Kenya for Russia

Elsewhere in Africa, South Africa’s government said this week that two of its citizens had died while fighting in the conflict. The deaths were separate from a group of 17 South Africans who were reportedly misled into joining Russian forces and have since largely been repatriated, according to the foreign ministry.

Authorities in South Africa are also investigating Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, over allegations related to recruitment activities. No formal charges have been announced.

Susan kept in touch with her son, David, through WhatsApp while he was in Ukraine.

In Kenya, a local intelligence assessment cited by media outlets suggested that more than 1,000 Kenyans may have been recruited to fight for Russia. Kenya’s foreign ministry has said 27 citizens were rescued after being stranded in Russia. Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi has indicated he plans to visit Russia in March to discuss the issue.

The developments underscore the growing international dimensions of the Russia–Ukraine war, including the recruitment of foreign nationals and the diplomatic implications for African governments.