Reports: Russia Allegedly Forces Nigerians, African Students into Military Service for Visa Extension
Reports indicate that Russia has been issuing ultimatums to African students and young workers, threatening not to renew their visas unless they consent to military service, as per sources close to the situation. The recruiters have also targeted migrants and students who were previously seeking employment in Russia, and in some instances, have enticed others with promises of high-paying jobs, only to force them into military training and deployment.
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Russia is allegedly recruiting thousands of foreign students, including Nigerians and other immigrants, to serve in its military in the conflict against Ukraine as a condition for visa renewal.
Reports indicate that Russia has been issuing ultimatums to African students and young workers, threatening not to renew their visas unless they consent to military service, as per sources close to the situation.
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“Russia has been drafting convicts from its prisons, while some Africans in Russia on work visas have been apprehended and given the choice between deportation or combat,” stated an anonymous European official. He further added that some immigrants have managed to bribe officials to remain in the country without having to serve in the military.
Reports citing Ukrainian intelligence suggest that Russia has initiated a worldwide recruitment effort to enlist foreign mercenaries from at least 21 countries, including several African nations.
The army recruitment campaigns offer attractive signing bonuses and salaries to those willing to serve as contract soldiers. The recruiters have also targeted migrants and students who were previously seeking employment in Russia, and in some instances, have enticed others with promises of high-paying jobs, only to force them into military training and deployment.
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Russian President Vladmir Putin disclosed that approximately 10,000 Russian troops are being killed or injured each month, thus necessitating the recruitment drive.
Yevgeny Primakov, head of Rossotrudnichestvo, an organization dedicated to promoting Russian culture abroad, stated that there are currently 35,000-37,000 African students in Russia. “We enroll about 6,500 students from Africa to study in Russia for free every year,” he announced at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday.
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A high-ranking Ukrainian official confirmed an increase in the number of foreign fighters among the prisoners captured by Ukraine on the battlefield, with Africans and Nepalis being particularly prevalent. Another European official mentioned that some of Ukraine’s allies are contemplating sharing their knowledge with the affected countries.
Last year, Reuters reported that the mercenary group Wagner had recruited several African citizens as part of an initiative to draft convicts from Russian prisons for its forces in Ukraine.
