Ukraine has expressed concerns over the growing number of foreign nationals reportedly missing after joining the Russian army, warning Nigerians and other Africans against suspicious employment offers that could lead to forced or deceptive military recruitment.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to Nigeria, Ivan Kholostenko, gave this warning in a statement, stressing that relatives of foreign nationals who travelled to Russia in search of jobs or signed military contracts were increasingly turning to Ukrainian humanitarian initiatives to determine the whereabouts of their loved ones.
He noted that many families were left uncertain about whether their relatives were alive, captured or killed after being deployed to the frontline in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to the envoy, the Ukrainian humanitarian project ‘I Want to Find’ has received enquiries regarding missing nationals from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and other countries.
“These figures reveal the true human cost of Russia’s recruitment campaigns. Behind every request is a family that does not know whether their son, husband, or father is still alive,” Kholostenko said.
“Russia promises foreign nationals high salaries and new opportunities, but in reality sends them to the frontline, where their lives are treated as expendable,” he added.
The ambassador alleged that foreign recruits were frequently deployed in dangerous assault operations, where they faced high risks of injury or death, sometimes after receiving only limited military training.
He further claimed that Russian military commanders used foreign nationals in frontline operations to expose Ukrainian firing positions or clear the way for other troops, raising concerns about how recruited foreigners were treated within the military.
Kholostenko also alleged that Russia showed insufficient urgency in securing the return of foreign nationals captured by Ukrainian forces. However, these claims could not be independently verified from the statement.
Citing figures from the Ukrainian initiative ‘I Want to Live’, Kholostenko said foreign nationals accounted for approximately one in 10 prisoners of war held by Ukraine who had served in the Russian army.
According to him, the prisoners included citizens of 55 countries, with recruitment activities reportedly extending across Central Asia, South America and Africa.
