Post a comment 
International human rights organisation Amnesty International says Russian-linked recruiters are targeting vulnerable Sierra Leoneans and nationals from other African countries to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine.
In a report, Amnesty said nationals from Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa and Egypt were among those being targeted by recruiters offering jobs and other economic opportunities.
The organisation said the recruitment follows a pattern associated with human trafficking, with some recruits allegedly having their passports confiscated after arriving in Russia.
Amnesty said some Sierra Leoneans recruited by Russia have subsequently been captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting on the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
According to the rights group, some of the captured Sierra Leoneans said they had been recruited under duress and deployed to the battlefield after receiving basic military training.
A Sierra Leonean captured in Eastern Ukraine fighting for the Russian Army.
Ukraine reported in April that more than 28,000 foreign nationals were fighting on behalf of Russia, highlighting the growing international dimension of the conflict.
Amnesty International said the recruitment of foreign nationals raises serious concerns over human trafficking, exploitation and the treatment of vulnerable people seeking employment abroad.
The Russian military has not publicly responded to Amnesty International’s allegations.
