A recent report by All Eyes on Wagner, a collective of academics and cybersecurity experts, has revealed that hundreds of Africans have been recruited by the Russian army and deployed to the front lines in Ukraine. According to the report, titled "The Trade of Despair," 1417 Africans from 35 countries were recruited between January 2023 and September 2025. The report also states that 316 Africans have died fighting in Ukraine, with their names and details documented in the report.
The report highlights the recruitment strategy used by the Russian army, which targets vulnerable individuals in African countries. The strategy involves exploiting socio-economic vulnerabilities, with recruiters targeting young people seeking higher education or employment abroad, as well as those attempting irregular migration. According to Lou Osborn, a member of the collective, the recruitment process is made accessible through social media, with advertisements in multiple languages and WhatsApp numbers shared online.
The report also reveals that the Russian army has set up a communication device to support its recruitment strategy. A website, "Fight For Russia," was launched in January 2025, allowing foreigners to fill out a form to participate in the war in Ukraine. The report also notes that some Africans have joined the Russian army voluntarily, driven by economic needs, while others have done so without realizing the consequences.
The countries most affected by the recruitment drive are Egypt, Cameroon, and Ghana, with 361, 335, and 234 individuals recruited, respectively. Other countries, including Algeria, Gambia, Mali, Nigeria, and Kenya, have also been affected. The report notes that the average age of the African recruits is 31, with the youngest being 18 years old and the oldest being 57.
The report also provides details on the Beninese nationals who have been recruited and deployed to the front lines. Fifteen Beninese nationals are among the 1417 Africans recruited, with three having died in the conflict. The report provides their names, dates of birth, and military registration numbers, as well as the dates of their deaths.
According to the report, the length of service of the African recruits is revealing of the fate of the "cannon fodder" and the lack of training of the African recruits. The average length of service before being killed in combat is six months, with some recruits serving for only one month before being killed.
The report's findings have raised concerns about the recruitment of African nationals by the Russian army and the impact on their families and communities. The collective behind the report aims to make the information public to allow families to know the fate of their loved ones and to organize the return of remains or stranded individuals.
Key points
- 1417 Africans recruited by Russian army and deployed to Ukraine front between 2023 and 2025
- 316 Africans have died fighting in Ukraine, according to report
- Report highlights exploitation of vulnerable individuals in African countries by Russian army recruiters
