Lies, horror, trauma: Kenyans recount forced Russian recruitmentRelatives of Kenyans sent to fight in Ukraine have demanded urgent government action to repatriate their kin. "They told us: 'If you don't sign, you're dead'," Victor told AFP, showing his Russian military service record and combat medallion. AFP was able to identify two other recruitment agencies sending Kenyans to Russia but was unable to contact them. In the early days of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was accused of using its own ethnic minorities as expendable forces: Chechens, Dagestanis and others. Moscow has "destroyed my life", she told AFP through tears.

Source: Bangkok Post February 09, 2026 18:11 UTC