Nine arrested in Johannesburg after planning to fight in Russia's war
Police stopped the group at O.R. Tambo Airport just before they were scheduled to board flights to Russia.
By Rosa Wojcik ·
Nine foreign nationals have been detained in South Africa after authorities determined they were preparing to depart for Russia to fight in the war with Ukraine. The arrests mark the latest effort by local police to intercept individuals attempting to join the conflict under the country's strict mercenary laws.
Coronel Katlego Mogale announced on Monday that officers seized the suspects late Sunday night. The group, consisting of men aged between 20 and 26, was caught at O.R. Tambo Airport and a hotel in the Bruma neighborhood of Johannesburg. Police stated that the investigation involved Interpol and various local and international police bodies.
The suspects were intercepted immediately before they boarded their flights. Authorities have not disclosed the nationalities of the nine men or which side of the conflict they intended to join. They face charges of violating the Foreign Military Assistance Regulation Act, a law that prohibits mercenary activity and regulates military assistance in foreign conflicts.
The law applies to both South Africans and foreigners acting within the country's borders. It covers activities such as recruitment and training. The nine accused are scheduled to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court, though police have not yet set a specific date for their hearing.
These arrests follow a trend of concern regarding the recruitment of Africans for the Russian army. An investigation by the data journalism organization Code for Africa identified 289 websites, domains, and social media profiles used to lure recruits with misleading advertising and promises of high pay. This work was cited by the Institute for Security Studies.
South Africa has previously helped repatriate citizens who claimed they were tricked into the conflict. Police investigated allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, helped recruit 17 South African men for Russia under the guise of security training. She denied any wrongdoing and resigned from Parliament in November 2025 after the accusations. She was investigated but never formally charged.
In a separate case, radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula was charged at the end of 2025 with recruiting four South African men for the Russian army. The men also faced charges under the foreign military assistance law. Neighboring Zimbabwe reported in March that 15 of its citizens had died in the war while authorities sought the return of 66 others. Kenya announced in February that more than 1,000 of its citizens had been recruited to fight for Russia.
