Ukraine's MFA on Africa Day: Russia Is Not Even in Africa's Top 20 Economic Partners - But It's Recruiting Thousands of Africans to Die in Ukraine

On Africa Day 2026, Ukrinform published an interview with Liubov Abravitova, Director of the Department of Africa and Regional African Organizations at Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, covering the state of Russia's recruitment of African nationals, Ukraine's strategic priorities on the continent, and why Africa is beginning to see Russia differently.

Nearly 3,000 Africans recruited - and Russia planned 18,500 more this year

As of May 1, 2026, at least 2,965 citizens from 36 African countries are fighting or have fought in the Russian Armed Forces against Ukraine, according to data from Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Abravitova noted that experts assess the real figure to be considerably higher. The top source countries are Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda.
Russia uses a variety of recruitment mechanisms - from deceptive promises of "free scholarships" to recruitment through religious organizations. Russian command planned to recruit 18,500 foreign nationals in 2026 alone. "The trend is extremely alarming," Abravitova said.

Kenya: Russia promised to stop, then sent those very men to assault operations

The Kenyan case illustrates how little Russia's diplomatic assurances are worth. Following significant media pressure and appeals from families who had lost contact with relatives, Kenya's Foreign Minister was forced to travel to Moscow. According to Abravitova, no concrete results were achieved. Russia subsequently declared its readiness to stop recruiting Kenyan nationals — but Ukraine continues to document their presence in active combat zones. Critically, the Coordination Headquarters reported through its Telegram channels that after the Kenyan Foreign Minister's visit, the very recruits discussed during those negotiations were thrown into human wave assault operations. Russia had no interest in returning them or allowing their stories to become public.

Russia is not an economic player in Africa — only a military one

When asked about Russia's role among Africa's key economic partners, Abravitova was direct: Russia is not in the top ten, nor the top twenty economic partners on the continent. Despite the Kremlin's rhetoric about "multipolar world" and "anti-Western" solidarity, Russian investment in Africa remains marginal. Its presence is concentrated almost entirely in the political and military spheres — which is precisely how it maintains influence while delivering little economic value.

"Africa is beginning to see Russia differently because of the mercenary issue," Abravitova said. Across many African countries there is a growing understanding that the Russian "second army in the world" cannot defeat Ukraine on its own and needs additional manpower — including from Africa.

Repatriation is complicated — by African law

One factor complicating the return of African nationals from Ukrainian captivity is that mercenary activity is criminally prohibited in many African countries. For those already serving in Russian ranks, returning home may mean facing criminal prosecution in their own country. This limits the leverage governments have in negotiating repatriation and complicates any potential exchanges. Abravitova noted that some POWs claim they were deceived about the nature of their contracts, while others made a conscious decision to engage in military service for pay. Ukraine works each case individually.

Russia's Africa Corps is losing ground in Mali
 

Commenting on Russia's military setbacks in Mali — where Africa Corps has been forced to withdraw from multiple cities amid jihadist and Tuareg advances — Abravitova said Russia is likely taking additional steps to reinforce its presence in Bamako. For Russia, its reputation in the Sahel is at stake, and losing control of that narrative would be deeply damaging.
Ukraine's Africa strategy is expanding

Ukraine opened its first agri-hub on the African continent in Ghana, and a similar agreement has been signed with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ukraine is working to expand its diplomatic and economic presence across the continent, with Abravitova emphasizing the need for a special representative for Africa — not as a symbolic role, but as a critical instrument for building the personal, long-term relationships through which African political partnerships are actually built.

Source: Ukrinform