South Africans were promised a job — but ended up ‘going to war’ for Russia

Sunday, November 30, 2025 -A group of 17 young South African men — mostly from KwaZulu‑Natal and one from the Eastern Cape — reportedly left the country in July 2025 under the impression they were headed for security‑training jobs. 

They were told they’d receive bodyguard training for senior officials in the political party uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), then return home to work as security officers.

But shortly after arrival in Russia, their passports and phones were confiscated, and the “training” contract — written entirely in Russian — forced them instead into combat roles. 

They were transferred to the frontline of the war in Ukraine's Donbas region. Families say the men have made distress calls describing dire conditions, including combat, mass‑grave duties, and witnessing death on a daily basis.

The case has triggered a formal investigation by the South African authorities. Under the Foreign Military Assistance Act (1998), it is illegal for South Africans to serve in foreign militaries without approval. 

The government says it is working diplomatically to repatriate the men and condemn the exploitation of vulnerable youth.