South Africa detains nine foreigners suspected of heading to join Russian forces

South African police have arrested nine foreign nationals suspected of seeking to travel from the country to fight in Russia's war on Ukraine. The arrests come amid growing concern over the recruitment of foreigners to fight for Russia.

Police said the suspects were arrested late Sunday night at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg and at a nearby hotel. Officers intervened after an investigation involving Interpol and local law enforcement agencies.

Police officials said the suspects, aged between 20 and 26, were preparing to board flights to Russia when officers intervened. Neither the suspects' nationalities nor their plans once they arrived in Russia were given.

The nine are expected to appear before a court on charges relating to violations of South Africa's Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. The law prohibits mercenary activity and regulates military assistance to parties in foreign conflicts, including recruitment and training. Its provisions also apply to foreign nationals in South Africa. Police did not give a date for the accused to appear in court.

The arrests come amid growing concern that many Africans, Asians and South Americans are being recruited to fight for Russia in its four-and-a-half-year-long war in Ukraine, often lured by promises of civilian jobs that in reality lead to the battlefield.

Last September, Amnesty International accused Russia of tricking foreigners into fighting on the front lines in Ukraine in what amounts to "human trafficking". The report said victims from South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, Sri Lanka and more were duped into travelling to Russia to take up well-paid civilian or non-combat jobs, then forced to join the Russian army on arrival.

In February this year, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that more than 1,700 people from 36 African nations are known to be fighting for Russia in its war on Ukraine, urging governments to warn their citizens against joining the conflict, and accusing Russia of "trying to drag African citizens into a deadly war".

Earlier this year, South Africa said it had secured the return of 11 men lured into fighting for Russia. Kenyans and Cameroonians are among other African nationalities to have been killed in the war.

Russia's war in Ukraine has now run for four and a half years. With concern over the recruitment of foreigners continuing to grow, South Africa's arrests are being seen as a step against the recruitment networks.