Cameroon has confirmed that 16 of its soldiers died while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, following a notification from Moscow. The country's foreign affairs ministry sent a memo to the Russian Embassy acknowledging the fatalities among Cameroonian personnel serving in what Russia calls the 'special military operations zone.' The ministry said it was making 'necessary arrangements' to inform the families of the deceased.
In a separate communication issued the same day, the ministry invited relatives of six other Cameroonian nationals living in Russia to a meeting regarding 'urgent matters,' though no further details were given. This comes amid reports that African nationals have been recruited to fight for Russia, often under false pretences.
Last March, Cameroon's defence minister ordered military commands to take 'strict emergency measures' to prevent further defections by active or retired soldiers. Ukraine has said it believes more than 1,700 Africans have been recruited to fight for Russia, and several African nations have reported that their citizens were tricked by offers of jobs or training.
An intelligence report presented to Kenya's parliament earlier this year said 1,000 Kenyans were recruited to fight for Russia after being misled with false job promises. Two Nigerians were killed fighting for Russia late last year, according to Ukraine's intelligence agency. Another investigation in 2024 found that African women were also duped into working in a factory assembling attack drones for Russia.
