Soldiers of the Ukrainian Air Force capture mercenary from Africa

23 February, 2025 Ukrainian soldier on exercises. Source: 35th Marine Brigade In one of the sectors, the Russian command launched an unsuccessful assault and engaged mercenaries from Africa.

The 1st Air Force Combined Rifle Brigade and the 35th Marine Brigade fought off the assault. The Air Force soldiers reported that five invaders were killed and one captured. The POW claimed that he was from West Africa and that he had come to study in the Russian city of Saratov.

He then joined the Russian military in Saratov. The Ukrainian military provided the prisoner of war with the necessary medical care, fed him, and gave him water.

"As a sign of gratitude, the African from the Russian army thanked the Ukrainian soldiers for saving his life," the military said. The prisoner of war from Africa was later transferred to the relevant services. The Russians have been sending young Africans to the front line in Ukraine for a long time, in particular by threatening to deport them from the Russian Federation if they fail to do so.

Captured Russian invaders with an African mercenary.

Photo credits: Army TV

According to European officials, the Kremlin has forced thousands of migrants and foreign students to fight against Ukraine, adding additional manpower to the offensive. According to European officials, Russian officials have increasingly threatened not to renew visas for African students and young workers unless they agree to join the army.

A migrant from Ghana who was fraudulently recruited into the Russian army. Frame from a video by TV3 News

According to one European official, Moscow is also recruiting convicts from its prisons, and some Africans in Russia on work visas are being detained and forced to choose between deportation and fighting.

At the same time, some of these people have been able to bribe Russian officials to stay in the country and avoid military service.