Key Facts
• November 2025: Ukraine’s Ambassador Oleksandr Sherba warns South Africans against joining Russia’s invasion.
• 17 South African men, aged 20–39, reportedly lured into Russian mercenary forces with false promises.
• South African government received distress calls from these men trapped in Ukraine’s Donbas region.
• Ukraine claims 1,436 African citizens from 36 countries are fighting for Russia.
• South African law prohibits citizens from joining foreign military forces without government approval.
• Former President Jacob Zuma’s party allegedly sent South Africans to Russia for security training.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa orders investigation into mercenary recruitment.
• Sherba calls the war a ‘colonial war’ unrelated to Africa, urging South Africans to avoid involvement.
• Families of recruited men express desperation, contacting authorities for help.
• Sherba warns political involvement could destabilize South Africa further.
Summary
Ukraine’s Ambassador to South Africa, Oleksandr Sherba, has urged South Africans to avoid being deceived into joining Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, labeling it a ‘colonial war’ irrelevant to Africa. This follows reports of 17 South African men being lured into Russian mercenary forces under false pretenses. The South African government confirmed receiving distress calls from these men, trapped in Ukraine’s Donbas region. Ukraine claims over 1,400 African citizens are fighting for Russia, violating South African laws against joining foreign militaries without approval. Allegations also surfaced that former President Jacob Zuma’s party facilitated security training in Russia. President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched an investigation into these claims. Sherba emphasized the war’s brutality and urged South Africans to reject involvement, warning of potential political instability if local politicians are implicated.
