Russia sending Nigerians and other African students to war in exchange for visa renewal
European officials claim that Russia is using foreign students as additional manpower in the war against Ukraine, adopting tactics similar to those used by the Wagner mercenary group.
According to Bloomberg, Moscow is allegedly pressuring African students and young workers by threatening not to extend their visas unless they agree to join the military.
Furthermore, Russia has purportedly recruited convicts from its prisons and detained African workers on visas, forcing them to choose between deportation or military service.
While some individuals managed to stay in the country by bribing officials, others were compelled to join the military.
Reports from Ukrainian intelligence suggest that Russia has conducted a global recruitment campaign to enlist foreign mercenaries, targeting individuals in at least 21 countries, including several African nations.
Recruitment efforts offer attractive signing bonuses and salaries for those willing to serve as contract soldiers, with migrants and students being specifically targeted.
Some individuals were initially attracted by promises of lucrative employment but were ultimately coerced into military training and deployment to the front lines.