Ukrainian forces have captured two Togolese citizens fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine. This follows previous arrests of mercenaries from other African countries, including Ghana, Senegal, and others.
The Togolese government stated that many of its citizens, mostly young students, left for Russia under false pretenses of scholarships. Russian officials allegedly threatened African students and workers with visa revocation if they did not join the Kremlin's forces.
Reports suggest thousands of foreign mercenaries from various countries are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, with over 1,500 recruited through a single Moscow office in one year. The involvement of mercenaries from countries like North Korea and China has also been reported.
The capture of the Togolese mercenaries further underscores the international dimension of the conflict and Russia's recruitment practices. Ukraine's government continues to highlight these events, seeking explanations from countries whose citizens are implicated in the conflict.