Good Heavens! Intending to Find Work, 11 Men Ended Up on the Battlefield

Eleven South African citizens who were previously enticed to fight for Russia in Ukraine arrived back in their home country on Wednesday. This repatriation is the latest development in efforts to bring home citizens who had sent out distress calls after becoming trapped in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

According to Reuters, upon arrival at King Shaka International Airport, the men were escorted by police. Outside the airport police station, the founder of the Mkhonto Wesizwe (MKP) party, Jabulani Khumalo, told reporters that he had helped facilitate their repatriation, while denying any involvement by his party in the alleged recruitment.

In recent months, reports of African men being promised high-paying security jobs in Russia but ending up on the front lines of the war in Ukraine have become increasingly common. This has caused diplomatic tensions between Moscow and several countries whose citizens have been affected.

The South African government had previously stated that 17 men had been tricked into travelling to Russia under the pretext of lucrative jobs. Four people had returned last week, while the other 11 have now arrived back home. Two others remain in Russia, including one who is receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow.

President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly discussed the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation earlier this month. The presidential office stated that the repatriation was facilitated through diplomatic channels after Putin promised to support their safe return.