CONTRACTS OF DEATH OP-ED: How Africans were lured to fight for Russia and sent to Ukraine’s deadliest fronts

African prisoners of war have recounted their experiences of ending up fighting on Russia's front lines in Ukraine and surviving the harsh realities of war. Many were lured by Russian citizenship or a chance for better employment, but most simply sought a brighter financial future. Their stories reveal a desperate search for a better life, often leading them to a military prison south of Lviv, Ukraine.

One such story is that of TT, a farmer from Masvingo, Zimbabwe. He was recruited via Facebook by a man claiming to offer electrical engineering training, a $20,000 signing bonus, and a $2,500 monthly salary. However, after securing his Russian visa without ever leaving JKIA in Nairobi and then boarding a plane to Russia, TT's journey took a very different turn.

He was taken to Russia, given a Russian visa, and forced to sign a contract written entirely in Russian. Once assigned to the front lines, TT faced the dangers of combat, witnessing thousands of dead bodies and enduring constant fear while searching for food and water from deceased soldiers.

Another African POW, FNN from Kenya, worked as a security guard in Qatar before being approached by a friend for a job offer. He obtained a visa and flew to Russia, signing a contract that promised a salary of $1,700 per month and a $9,000 bonus. After undergoing training and moving to the front lines, FNN was tasked with basic duties, including acting as a gatekeeper. In the midst of battle, he witnessed his three colleagues being killed, leaving him as the sole survivor from his team.