Africa looks inward as it scrambles to rescue nationals fighting for Russia

A Ukrainian soldier inspects a shotgun amid ongoing Russian attacks in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, February 10, 2026.

Photo credit: Reuters

African governments are increasingly turning inwards to identify loopholes that allowed recruiters to draft nationals to fight for Russia in Ukraine.

This week, Kenya arrested Festus Omwamba, whom it says is a key mastermind in the recruitment that the intelligence community in Nairobi says has seen some 1,000 Kenyans flown to Russia under the guise of civilian jobs, only to end up in the Russian army.