Nine foreigners arrested in South Africa for allegedly planning to join Ukraine war

Police said nine foreign nationals, aged between 20 and 26, were detained in South Africa after authorities claimed they were attempting to leave the country to take part in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The arrests took place on Sunday evening in and around Johannesburg, with the suspects intercepted as they were "preparing to board flights out of the country", according to officials.

South African police reported that members of the group were seized at the nation’s largest airport, OR Tambo, as well as at a hotel in the Bruma district east of Johannesburg, by a multidisciplinary team that included Interpol officers.

The police statement added that the participation of Interpol and other international law‑enforcement bodies suggested the suspects may also have broken laws in their own home nations, prompting joint cooperation with South African authorities.

Authorities declined to reveal the suspects’ nationalities, but confirmed that none of the nine individuals were residents of South Africa.

Officials also said they have not disclosed whether the group intended to fight on behalf of Russia or Ukraine, nor identified any organisations that may have facilitated their travel.

The report noted that citizens from several African states, such as Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, have travelled to fight for Russia in Ukraine, with some reportedly being misled about their destination.

A Ukrainian intelligence assessment earlier this year estimated that more than 1,700 people from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia.

Kenya at that time estimated that 252 of its citizens had been illegally conscripted by Russian forces, and in March Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi visited Moscow, stating that an agreement had been reached to halt the recruitment of Kenyan nationals.

Ghana announced in February that 55 of its citizens had been killed in the war and that 272 were believed to have been lured into fighting since the conflict began in 2022.

The same month, South Africa secured the return of 17 of its own nationals who were allegedly deceived into joining the fighting.

In December of the previous year, South African authorities arrested five individuals, including a journalist, on suspicion of recruiting people for the war.

Ukraine has also been enlisting foreign volunteers, including individuals from African nations.

The nine detainees are expected to appear before a court either later on Monday or on Tuesday, police said.