Zimbabwe recruits locals into Russian army

This is reported by News24.

It is known that the person detained was a 36-year-old man. He was detained while accompanying one of the recruits to the bus station in Harare. From there, he was supposed to travel through South Africa to Russia.

Law enforcement officers found Russian electronic visas and hotel reservation confirmations for recruits who were to join the Russian army and fight in the war against Ukraine.

In particular, his accomplice — a Russian citizen identified only as “Roman” — remains at large.

In February, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga reported that more than 1,780 mercenaries from 36 African countries are fighting against Ukraine in the Russian army, whom Russia recruits through fraudulent schemes. At the same time, Russia itself continues to deny the illegal recruitment of citizens of African countries.

It was previously reported that the GUR stated: Russia plans to recruit a record 18,500 foreigners to its army in 2026. According to Ukrainian intelligence, foreign mercenaries remain an important resource for the Russian army amid significant losses in the war against Ukraine.

Russia also continues to expand its influence in African countries not only through military cooperation, but also by creating educational and cultural projects.

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