We didn’t force anyone to the warfront - Russia
Innocent Selatlhwa - Mbongeni Mguni | Monday May 4, 2026 11:24
While the last official comment from the International Relations minister, Phenyo Butale, was that the two countries were engaging, Russia, through its Embassy in Botswana, has said that all those who joined them in the war against Ukraine did so voluntarily.
The comments, made by the Embassy of Russia in a written response to Mmegi enquiries, represent a rare occasion when Russia speaks on the recruitment of Africans to the war front.
NGOs and other investigators allege that Russia recruited between 1,400 and 1,800 Africans to fight alongside its soldiers against Ukraine, enticing them with offers of thousands of dollars upon arrival. Many have passed away, and even more are missing in action, according to affected families, who have told various media and investigators.
Those who have returned from the frontline claim they were made to sign contracts they did not understand. Other analysts say these claims should be viewed with skepticism, as some recruits fear being charged with treason once they return home, for fighting under another country’s flag.
Responding to a questionnaire from this publication on what they are doing to assist families of those searching for their children in Russia, embassy officials told Mmegi that while they are attending to such concerns, it must be noted that those who signed contracts did so of their own volition.
“Botswana nationals, just like citizens from other countries who have signed contracts to participate in the special military operation alongside us in fighting Ukrainian Nazism, did so voluntarily, of their own accord and of their own free will, in full compliance with Russian legislation, which provides inter alia for early termination of contracts,” the Embassy said.
The officials said there are specific procedures governing this.
The Embassy said Russia respects Botswana’s commitment to the principles of multilateralism, non-alignment, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and fully understands the government’s concerns for Botswana citizens.
In this regard, the officials said that all requests from the Botswana side, whether from official authorities or from relatives of Batswana involved in the special military operation, were promptly forwarded by the Embassy to the relevant Russian authorities. Officials said upon receiving a response, they will immediately inform the Government of Botswana.
Some time in February, the government dismissed reports that Batswana in Russia could be dead. The Ministry of International Relations announced that, in collaboration with international law enforcement, including Interpol, the government continues to engage relevant authorities to establish the facts and determine the whereabouts of three identified Batswana currently believed to be in the Russian Federation in connection with the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
In December 2025, Minister Dr. Phenyo Butale held discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, in Egypt, during which the issue was formally raised.
“Subsequent written communication has been transmitted through established diplomatic channels, requesting cooperation and assistance from the Russian authorities,” he said.
The government promised it was fully committed to safeguarding the welfare and interests of Batswana abroad and warned citizens against falling victim to recruitment scams.
“All appropriate diplomatic, legal and law-enforcement avenues are being actively pursued to establish the status of the affected individuals.
“The Ministry of International Relations and relevant officials continue to engage the families with due sensitivity and care,” the Ministry stated.