69 South Africans in Russia's Military, 10 Dead As Their Army Chief Holds Military Cooperation Talks in Moscow

On July 28, 2026, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, chief of the South African Army, met with Russian Colonel General Alexander Matovnikov, deputy commander-in-chief of Russia's land forces, in Moscow. The Russian Defence Ministry said the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between their land forces and discussed joint projects aimed at enhancing combat readiness. Russia separately thanked South Africa's political and military leadership for what it called their "firm position" on Russia and a shared vision of the so called "multipolar world".

The"I Want to Live" project published the names of 69 South African nationals identified as having served or currently serving in Russia's armed forces against Ukraine. At least 10 of them have been confirmed killed.

The List

69 Southern Africans were identified. Contract signing dates range from June 2023 to December 2025, indicating sustained recruitment over more than two years. Note that names are transliterated from Russian records into English - minor spelling variations may apply.

Several patterns stand out.

• Batch recruitment. Fifteen people signed on July 14, 2025 alone. Fourteen more signed on November 29, 2025. These clusters indicate organised recruitment operations moving groups of South Africans into Russia's military simultaneously.
• Very young recruits. Ndlangamandla Brandon Lebo was born in September 2004. He signed in November 2025 and was killed on December 16, 2025 - six weeks later, at 21 years old. Rassam Asem Aziz Sadek Galeb was born in September 2007 and signed in November 2025 at 18 years old.
• Rapid deaths after signing. Bingham Branden Bobby signed on September 9, 2024 and was killed on October 25 - 46 days later. Jones Warren William signed July 11, 2025 and was killed August 27 - 47 days later. Russia does not invest in meaningful training for foreign recruits.

The Context

In February 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially welcomed the return of South Africans who had been deceived into the war between Russia and Ukraine - an acknowledgment that the recruitment of South African citizens was real and that some had made it home.

Russia's stated position is that all foreign nationals in its armed forces signed contracts voluntarily. The data above shows people dying within weeks of signing, families unaware of what their relatives had entered, and groups of men signing together on the same day - patterns consistent with organised and, in many cases, deceptive recruitment.

South Africa's official non-aligned position on the conflict and its BRICS membership have led it to preserve strong ties with Moscow. Russia has used that relationship - and the language of equal partnership - while simultaneously treating South African citizens as a source of expendable infantry.

See also: Sihle Makhaye was one of a group of South Africans recruited by Russians in July 2025 under false promises of lucrative private security or bodyguard work. He refused to sign military contract and was killed in detention.

Any offer of work in Russia - security contracts, construction, logistics - is a potentional recruitment pathway to the front. If you or your relatives were trapped by Russia's military recruitment system - reach out to the "I Want to Live" project for a safe way out. Find out more here.

Source: I Want to Live