Zimbabwe says that 15 of its nationals have been killed after being recruited to fight for Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine, with more than 60 still trapped on the frontlines.
Information Minister Zhemu Soda said the Zimbabweans had been lured by shadowy agencies promising lucrative jobs abroad using social media platforms as their primary hunting ground.
It is a sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation, and human trafficking that has already resulted in the loss of Zimbabwean lives, he said.
The Zimbabwe government says it is in talks with the Russian authorities to ensure the bodies are repatriated and those still alive return home safely.
It is the first time the country has acknowledged that dozens of its nationals are in military service to Russia.
Soda warned Zimbabweans to exercise caution regarding overseas job offers, urging them to verify opportunities through official channels.
He warned that the recruiters often disappear once a recruit is injured, captured, or killed, leaving relatives with no financial support or information.
The Zimbabwean case reflects a wider pattern seen across other African countries including Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, whose citizens have been enticed to join the war.
A Ukrainian intelligence assessment has estimated that more than 1,700 people from 36 countries in Africa have been recruited to fight for Russia.
