Botswana says 'alarming rise' in citizens lured to Russia's war
The ministry urged citizens to verify overseas offers as it said recruits were being forced into combat and frontline calls are rising.
- On Saturday, Botswana's Ministry of International Relations warned that an "alarming" number of Batswana are being forced into combat in Russia's war against Ukraine after falling for deceptive recruitment schemes.
- Recruiters promise civilian work, but Batswana discover upon arrival that "they are being forced into active combat," the Ministry said, citing perilous frontline conditions.
- Geneva-Based Inpact, operating the All Eyes on Wagner program, identified more than 1,400 African nationals recruited by Russia between January 2023 and September 2025, with at least 316 killed fighting against Ukraine.
- Russian military bloggers estimate that some newly deployed soldiers survive only 20 to 35 minutes after reaching frontline positions, where drones cause a growing share of casualties.
- The Ministry urged citizens to verify employment offers before traveling abroad, warning that recruiters use promises of civilian work to facilitate schemes connected to the Russian military, though the government did not disclose current numbers.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Gaborone accuses Moscow of luring Batswana to battlefield
Botswana is the latest nation to accuse Moscow of using deceptive tactics to lure foreign recruits to the battlefield. Without saying how many of its citizens were involved, Gaborone's foreign ministry claimed its nationals were duped into going to Russia and then forced into active combat.
The Government of Botswana is alerting about false job offers aimed at trapping its citizens to forcibly send them to the front in Ukraine.
Botswana warns its people about Russian job scams that end in the trenches against Ukraine
Botswana has become the latest African country to accuse Russia of tricking its citizens into fighting against Ukraine, luring them abroad with fake job offers and then forcing them into combat, Bloomberg reported. The government told its people to treat foreign work offers with suspicion, warning that the scheme is spreading fast. The move echoes alarms raised across the continent as Russia scours Africa for soldiers to feed its war. Rather tha…
The Ministry of International Affairs of Botswana has issued a mandatory official note, taken up by the Bloomberg agency, urging the population to check with the utmost attention every single job offer.
Citizens are lured into Russia on the pretext of employment and then forced to participate in hostilities.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
