South Africa arrests nine foreigners: Suspects caught preparing to join Russia-Ukraine war
Police in Johannesburg detained the group, aged 20 to 26, at OR Tambo Airport and a hotel in Bruma on Sunday evening.
By Abigail Brooks ·
South African police arrested nine foreign nationals on Sunday evening after authorities said the group was preparing to leave the country to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. The suspects, aged between 20 and 26, were detained by a multidisciplinary team involving Interpol at OR Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma, east of Johannesburg.
Law enforcement officials stated that the group was caught while preparing to board flights out of the country. Although their final destination remains unclear, the nine individuals face charges under South African laws that prohibit mercenary activity without government permission. Authorities noted that cooperation with international law enforcement agencies suggests the suspects also violated laws in their home countries.
Police did not disclose the nationalities of the arrested individuals but confirmed that none of them are residents of South Africa. Officials also withheld details regarding whether the group intended to fight for Russia or Ukraine, as well as the names of organizations allegedly facilitating their travel.
The arrest follows a pattern of African citizens being recruited for the conflict. A Ukrainian intelligence assessment from earlier this year estimated that more than 1,700 people from 36 African countries had been recruited to fight for Russia. Kenya estimated that 252 of its citizens had been illegally conscripted in Russia, a figure that prompted Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi to visit Moscow in March to secure an agreement stopping further recruitment.
Ghana reported in February that 55 of its citizens had been killed in the conflict, with 272 believed to have been lured to fight since the war began in 2022. In the same month, South Africa secured the return of 17 of its own citizens who were allegedly tricked into joining the war. In December of last year, South African authorities arrested five people, including a journalist, for allegedly recruiting individuals for the conflict.
The nine suspects are scheduled to appear in court either later on Monday or on Tuesday.
