Ghanaians dying in Russia–Ukraine war: The danger is real

For many of the Ghanaians and other African nationals reportedly killed while fighting in the Russia–Ukraine war, news of their deaths often first emerges on social media before it is eventually confirmed by families and close associates.

This is largely because the circumstances surrounding their involvement in the war are often illegal and shrouded in secrecy. As a result, verified information from either Russian or Ukrainian authorities is rarely forthcoming, except in a few cases.

For some Ghanaians, such reports are dismissed as rumours because they cannot comprehend why fellow citizens would travel thousands of miles from home to fight in a war that does not concern them.

Others, however, justify these deadly journeys by pointing to the harsh economic realities in Ghana and many parts of Africa, arguing that such hardships push young men to embark on perilous journeys in search of greener pastures.

Nonetheless, emerging official information suggests that some of these young men did not travel voluntarily. Rather, they were deceived and lured into the conflict with promises of attractive job opportunities by transnational human trafficking networks.

This account has been corroborated by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who embarked on a state visit to Ukraine on Thursday, February 27, 2026.

Mr Ablakwa confirmed that at least 55 Ghanaians have been killed fighting in the war in Ukraine, with two others currently being held as prisoners of war.

The figures were disclosed by Ukrainian authorities during high-level talks in Kyiv between Ghanaian officials and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha.

Mr Ablakwa said Ukrainian intelligence indicated that 272 Ghanaians have been lured into the conflict since 2022 through transnational criminal trafficking networks.

Broader data shared during the engagement revealed that 1,780 Africans from 36 countries are believed to have been recruited under similar circumstances to fight against Ukraine.

Describing the situation as devastating in a social media post on February 27, 2026, the minister stated: “These are not mere statistics; they are Ghanaian lives cut short, and families shattered.”

He stressed that Ghana cannot remain indifferent to the growing exploitation of its youth in foreign conflicts.

“This is not our war. We cannot allow our young people to be used as human shields in a conflict that does not concern Ghana,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa also signalled a tougher domestic response, announcing intensified public education and decisive action against recruitment networks.

“We are determined to track and dismantle every illegal recruitment scheme operating within our jurisdiction, including those on the dark web,” he stated.

“They are victims of manipulation, of disinformation, misinformation, of criminal trafficking networks,” he added.

During the visit, Ghanaian officials laid flowers at Kyiv’s Wall of Remembrance in honour of war victims and held discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in combating human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister also had rare access to the two Ghanaian prisoners of war as Ghana and Kyiv discussed the possibility of securing their release.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, said both sides discussed “frankly” the possibility of returning the prisoners to Ghana.

The two captured Ghanaians, who were granted consular access, reportedly cautioned fellow citizens against being enticed by promises of financial reward, describing the dangers on the battlefield as grave.

Mr Ablakwa thanked Ukraine for ensuring international law was respected in the handling of the detainees.

“We have received reports that they are in good health,” he said. “They have not been tortured. They have not suffered any inhumane treatment since they were captured.”

The family of one of the men said they remained hopeful he would be freed soon. According to the AFP news agency, 35-year-old Joshua Nkrumah left his pregnant wife in Dubai in July 2024 and travelled to Russia believing he had secured a private security job.

He was captured by Ukrainian forces in September 2024 after surviving a drone strike. Nkrumah remains in detention, and his family has had no contact with him since.

Joshua’s father, Albert, told AFP that he sometimes wondered whether his son was dead or alive.

“As a father, I live every day with a silent weight on my chest. I wake up and the first thing I think about is my son – whether he has eaten, whether he is safe, whether he still has hope,” he said.

“I just want my son alive and back home. That is all a father asks.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister assured that efforts were underway to protect vulnerable youth and prevent further loss of Ghanaian lives.

If these developments are anything to go by, then emerging reports on social media about the death of another young Ghanaian, Samuel Awatey, who reportedly travelled to Russia on a supposed business trip but ended up fighting in the war, cannot be taken lightly.

Mr Awatey, the Chief Executive Officer of a new local radio station in Ghana’s capital, Accra, is reported to have travelled to Russia on what was described as a business trip three months ago. His family was later informed by the agent who facilitated the trip that he had died after being hit by a bomb.

Awatey’s relatives, including his pregnant wife, are reported to have confirmed the news of his death, although no official confirmation has been received from Russian, Ghanaian or Ukrainian authorities.

This does not come as a surprise. In the case of the 55 Ghanaians confirmed dead, little official information was available about them until Ukrainian authorities relayed the figures to Ghana’s Foreign Minister.

Ghana is not alone in suffering such losses. Other African countries are also losing their citizens in the conflict.

According to a BBC online report published on Friday, February 27, 2026, a Kenyan national was charged a day earlier over allegations that he had lured young men to Russia with job opportunities, only for them to end up fighting in Ukraine. The suspect, Festus Arasa Omwamba, denied the charges.

A report by Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), released in February 2026, indicated that about 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight for Russia in its four-year war against Ukraine.

Russia’s embassy in Kenya has denied accusations that it was involved in recruiting individuals to fight in the war, explaining that Russian law allows foreign nationals who are legally in the country to voluntarily enlist in the armed forces.

South Africa also confirmed on Thursday, February 26, that two of its citizens had been killed in Ukraine, while another 15 had been repatriated over the past week. Two more remain in Russia receiving treatment for “very severe” injuries, according to Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, as reported by the BBC.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that anyone fighting for Russia would be treated as an enemy combatant and that the only safe route out was to surrender and be treated as a prisoner of war.

However, Ukraine itself has previously faced criticism for attempting to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans, to fight on its side.

What is becoming increasingly clear is that citizens from relatively weaker economies, in search of better opportunities, have become easy prey in a war that does not concern them, lured by promises of a better life they may never live to enjoy.

The Ghanaian government must therefore take urgent steps to neutralise the operations of the human trafficking networks luring these young men, while also intensifying public sensitisation to prevent others from falling victim. Diplomatic engagement with the countries involved alone may not be sufficient to address this growing phenomenon.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.