Kenya Among Countries Drawn into Russia’s Expanding Mercenary Recruitment Effort

Russia has recruited at least 27,000 foreign nationals from more than 130 countries since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to a new report by rights groups.

The findings, published by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Truth Hounds and the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, describe an organised recruitment system targeting vulnerable people in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It says many individuals were offered civilian jobs or education opportunities, but were instead sent to front-line combat within weeks of arrival in Russia.

Ukrainian estimates suggest that more than 3,000 foreign fighters have been killed in the conflict. Many are believed to have been deployed in so-called “meat assaults”, mass infantry attacks associated with very high casualty rates.

Kenya has been identified as one of the countries affected by the recruitment effort. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi told Parliament that between 252 and 291 Kenyans have joined Russian forces, with some reported killed or injured.

Although Russian officials said in March that Kenyan nationals would no longer be deployed to the battlefield, subsequent reports indicate that deaths have continued. Kenyan authorities say they face significant challenges in tracking or assisting citizens who travel through unofficial channels.

The report also raises concerns about the recruitment process itself. In several cases, contracts were provided only in Russian, without translation or clear explanation, leaving recruits unaware of the terms they were agreeing to. Kenyan police have previously intercepted groups of men preparing to travel to Russia for enlistment.

Beyond Ukraine, Russia’s use of private military companies continues to expand its presence in parts of Africa and the Middle East. According to an analysis titled Russia: Private Military Machine, these groups enable Moscow to extend its influence while limiting the political and financial costs of direct military deployment. 

In some cases, operations are partly self-financing through mining concessions, fuel distribution agreements and access to commodities such as gold. The Wagner Group, formerly the most prominent of these forces, has been reorganised following the 2023 mutiny led by its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and his subsequent death. 

Smaller, state-linked units have replaced its central command structure, a change intended to improve control but widely reported to have reduced operational effectiveness in countries such as Mali. Russia continues to attract partners in Africa by offering military support without the political conditions often attached to Western assistance.

However, analysts say its expanding commitments abroad, alongside the ongoing war in Ukraine, are placing increasing pressure on its military and financial resources.