Russia shifts war recruitment focus
The move follows efforts by Kenya and South Africa to stop their citizens from joining the Russian army.
Russia is shifting its recruitment focus for the war in Ukraine to people from countries like Burundi and Zimbabwe, as stated by Ukrainian intelligence findings according to Bloomberg. This comes after Kenya and South Africa attempted to prevent their citizens from joining the Russian army. Nearly 700 Burundians and 530 Zimbabweans have reportedly signed contracts with the Russian military.
According to Ukrainian research, over 5,400 Africans have joined the army, with recruitment also increasing in countries such as Cameroon, DR Congo, Sierra Leone, and Sudan. A UN report revealed that Russian authorities have trafficked men from 29 countries into their army by using deception and coercion. This news arrives ahead of a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, where President Vladimir Putin aims to boost trade and investment across the continent.
Despite the government's repeated denials of illegally recruiting Africans, the allegations have strained relations with African governments, and experts argue that the war in Ukraine is straining Russia's resources and limiting its economic potential.
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