The Russian culture of coercion in Africa and the war in Ukraine

Russia’s war in Ukraine has not only devastated cities and lives across Eastern Europe, but has also spread far beyond the battlefield, ensnaring vulnerable communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Recent investigations by Amnesty International reveal that thousands of foreign nationals have been trafficked or forced to join Russian forces, often under the false pretense of civilian employment.

At the same time, Moscow is expanding its network of cultural centers across Africa, presenting itself as a benevolent partner in education and culture.

Together, these two developments highlight a dual strategy: cultivating influence through soft power and exploiting economic vulnerability for military ends.

An Amnesty International report, Russia: Trafficking of Foreign Nationals to Fight in Ukraine, published last September, paints a disturbing picture of how foreign nationals are becoming involved in Russia’s war effort. Many had been promised jobs in construction, logistics or security, only to discover upon arrival in Russia that they had unknowingly signed military contracts. POW testimonies describe contracts signed without informed consent, passports confiscated, and recruits brought to the front lines after minimal training.

A Sri Lankan recruit, “Nalin”, said he was promised a job in civil security. Upon arrival in Moscow, he was presented with documents in Russian, without translation, and was forced to sign. What he signed turned out to be a military contract and within a few weeks he was sent to Ukraine. Others from Somalia, South Africa, Nigeria and Peru shared similar stories of deception, economic exploitation and broken promises of high wages or Russian citizenship.

Amnesty concludes that these practices amount to human trafficking. “The level of exploitation and coercion involved leads to the conclusion that the reported practices related to the recruitment of foreign nationals to fight for Russian forces in many cases amount to the crime of human trafficking,” the report states. Victims often came from economically precarious backgrounds, making them easy targets for recruiters making promises of prosperity.

The exploitation does not stop at Russia’s borders. Migrants and refugees already living in Russia have also been forced into military service. Many faced expired visas, police harassment or threats of deportation. The recruiters offered them a way out: sign a military contract in exchange for legal status, salary and the promise of citizenship.

While Amnesty documents the coercive recruitment of Africans into Russia’s war, Moscow is simultaneously expanding its cultural footprint on the continent. The Russian humanitarian agency Rossotrudnichestvo recently announced the opening of eight new “Russian Homes” in Africa, in addition to the 16 already existing. These centers, located in countries such as Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Madagascar, aim to promote Russian language, education, science and culture.

Igor Chaika, head of Rossotrudnichestvo, described the initiative as a way to “significantly change the program itself” by intensifying cultural engagement and adapting educational programs to the needs of African countries. Scholarships, exchanges and micro-grant programs are launched to strengthen ties. Russia insists that these centers train doctors, engineers and other specialists who can return home to contribute to the development of their countries.

Russia’s cultural expansion cannot be separated from its growing security role in Africa. The Wagner Group, now renamed Africa Corps, has become a key partner for the military governments of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. These juntas, seeking to distance themselves from France and other Western powers, have turned to Russian mercenaries for support against jihadist insurgencies.

At the same time, reports of African citizens being recruited into Russia’s war in Ukraine have increased. Kenya, in particular, has seen a significant number of men lured by employment agencies promising work opportunities in Russia, only to end up on the battlefield. The Kenyan government has accused these agencies of exploiting economic desperation. Russia, for its part, insists that all foreign recruits join voluntarily “in full compliance with Russian law”, although it agreed earlier this year not to deploy Kenyans to the front.

The juxtaposition is striking. On the one hand, Russia presents itself as a cultural benefactor, opening schools, offering scholarships and teaching the language. On the other hand, it exploits vulnerable populations by deceiving them into military service. Cultural centers could serve to soften Russia’s image, countering negative perceptions of its recruitment practices and projecting an image of friendliness and opportunity.

This dual strategy reflects a broader geopolitical ambition. By inserting itself into African education and culture, Russia is building long-term influence that could normalize its presence and facilitate recruitment. The promise of scholarships and cultural exchanges may attract young Africans, while the reality of coercive recruitment highlights the risks of engagement with Moscow.

The human cost of these practices is immense. Families in Peru, Sri Lanka, Somalia and Kenya have been left in anguish, unsure whether their loved ones are alive. Amnesty International has documented cases where recruits received no payments, were denied communication with their families and were subjected to threats when trying to leave military service.

Governments in Africa and Latin America have expressed concern. The governments of Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria have warned their citizens against these “predatory recruitment practices” that target their citizens. Yet the scope of the problem remains vast. As of April 2026, Ukrainian authorities estimated that at least 28,391 foreign citizens from 136 countries had fought for Russia in Ukraine.

Russia’s actions reveal a dual approach: coercion and culture. Through deceptive recruitment, he has drawn thousands of people into his war machine. Through cultural centers, it tries to present itself as a partner in education and development. Together, these strategies highlight Moscow’s determination to expand its influence beyond the battlefield, particularly in Africa.

Amajama, a social and political analyst, writes from Abuja and can be reached via [email protected]