A group of 11 South African men allegedly lured to fight alongside Russian soldiers in the war against Ukraine are expected to return home soon, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday.
It will bring to 15 the number of South African nationals to have returned after four men arrived in Johannesburg last week following months fighting on the front lines in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
They were allegedly deceived into traveling to Russia under the pretense that they would receive security training.
Two other South Africans remain in Russia, with one in hospital and the other being processed before planned travel home, according to Ramaphosa, who said the repatriations have been facilitated through diplomatic channels following a commitment by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin earlier this month.
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South Africa Secures Release of 11 Nationals Lured to Russia to Fight Against Ukraine
02/24/2026
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