Zimbabweans Allegedly Trafficked Into Russia’s War With Ukraine, Government Urged to Intervene
By A Correspondent | Broadcaster appeals to Harare for urgent rescue as reports emerge of Zimbabweans deceived with job offers and forced onto frontlines.
A Zimbabwean broadcaster has issued an urgent appeal to the government to intervene and rescue Zimbabwean nationals allegedly trapped in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine after being lured abroad with false promises of employment.
In a letter dated 10 March 2026, broadcaster Ezra Sibanda wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, calling for immediate diplomatic action to locate and repatriate Zimbabweans he claims were trafficked to Russia and deployed to the frontlines of the war.The appeal relates to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War, which has drawn international attention over allegations that foreign nationals have been recruited or coerced into the conflict
travelled to Russia after being promised legitimate employment opportunities such as truck driving, security work, and cleaning jobs.
The recruits were allegedly promised a once-off payment of US$37,000 and a monthly salary of US$4,000, sums that reportedly persuaded many to leave their homes in search of financial stability.
However, Sibanda claims the situation changed dramatically upon their arrival.
> “Upon arrival in Russia, many of them had their passports confiscated and were immediately transported in buses to military barracks,” he wrote.
Instead of the promised jobs, the men were allegedly subjected to mistreatment before receiving a brief two-week crash course in handling firearms and being deployed to the frontline in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk
