Approximately 1,400 African nationals, including around 200 Kenyans, are reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to recent statements by Kenyan and Ukrainian authorities. Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, revealed that some of these individuals are former members of Kenya’s security forces. Many recruits have allegedly been deceived into joining the war, with promises of substantial financial rewards. Some have been forced to assemble drones and handle hazardous chemicals without proper training or protective gear, raising serious safety and ethical concerns. Kenyan President William Ruto has formally requested the Ukrainian government to secure the release of Kenyan nationals currently held in the conflict zone. The Ukrainian government has also highlighted that recruitment networks remain active in both Kenya and Russia, targeting vulnerable individuals. Kenya’s embassy in Moscow has documented injuries among some recruits, who were reportedly promised up to $18,000 to cover visa, travel, and accommodation costs. Mudavadi expressed concerns about the broader issue of Kenyans being lured into ‘forced criminality,’ including drug trafficking and forced labor abroad, which he described as a threat to both Kenyan and global security. In September, Kenyan authorities rescued over 20 nationals near Nairobi who were preparing to join the war. A suspected recruiter was arrested and is facing prosecution. Meanwhile, South Africa has launched an investigation into how 17 of its citizens ended up in the war-torn Donbas region. Ukraine has also faced criticism for its attempts to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans, to fight on its side. The situation underscores the Kremlin’s efforts to expand its influence in Africa, as evidenced by the recruitment of individuals from Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba, and Sri Lanka, who are now held in Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camps.