CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — At least two South African citizens have died while fighting on behalf of Russia in the war in Ukraine after being deceived into traveling there through a recruitment scheme, the country’s foreign minister announced Thursday.

This marks the first time South African officials have confirmed that any of their nationals, who were allegedly enticed to Russia with promises of jobs or training opportunities, have lost their lives in the conflict.

Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola did not disclose the identities of the two individuals or specify when and where they were killed, but the Foreign Ministry confirmed that their families have been notified.

Lamola made the announcement following a visit to Durban on the country’s east coast, where he met with the families of 11 South Africans who returned home Wednesday. The group had allegedly been recruited last year under the pretense of receiving security training in Russia but instead became involved in the fighting in Ukraine.

According to Lamola, four other men connected to the same operation had already been brought back to South Africa, while two others remain in Russia suffering from “severe injuries.”

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, is under police investigation for allegedly playing a role in recruiting the 17 men who traveled to Russia. She has denied any wrongdoing but stepped down as a lawmaker in November amid the allegations. Authorities say she is one of at least five individuals being investigated in connection with sending the men abroad.

Lamola clarified that the two South Africans who died were not part of the group allegedly recruited by Zuma-Sambudla, but instead were involved in a separate recruitment effort that brought them to Russia.

“The law must take its course,” Lamola said regarding the 17 men who were permitted to leave the front lines after diplomatic engagement between South Africa and Russia. “Anyone involved in this scheme must be held responsible, and there must be consequences.”

Ukraine has stated that it believes more than 1,700 Africans have been recruited to fight for Russia. Several African governments have reported that their citizens were misled into joining the war through offers of well-paying jobs or skills development programs.

An intelligence report presented to Kenya’s parliament last week indicated that around 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to support Russian forces after being falsely promised employment opportunities before being deployed to the battlefield.

The Kenyan government said at least 89 of its citizens remain on the front lines in Ukraine, 39 have been hospitalized, 28 are missing in action, and others have since returned home. One Kenyan death has been officially confirmed.

In a related development, a man in Kenya was arrested and charged Thursday for allegedly trafficking 25 Kenyans to Russia last year in a scheme that authorities say deceived them into joining the conflict.

Ukraine’s intelligence agency also reported earlier this month that two Nigerian nationals were killed late last year while fighting for Russian forces.

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance party said it has obtained roughly 100 WhatsApp messages that suggest the South African recruits connected to Zuma-Sambudla were promised “security training” and the possibility of obtaining Russian or Canadian citizenship.

However, upon arrival in Russia, their passports and clothing were reportedly destroyed, their mobile phones confiscated, and they were sent to the Donetsk region of Ukraine to fight alongside Russian troops, according to the party.

Russia’s recruitment efforts have extended beyond Africa. An investigation earlier this year found that workers from Bangladesh were lured to Russia with promises of civilian employment but were instead sent into combat in Ukraine, where some reported facing threats of violence, detention, or death.

A separate investigation in 2024 revealed that African women were also recruited under false pretenses to support Russia’s war effort. They were allegedly enticed through social media advertisements promoting work-study programs, only to be assigned to a factory producing attack drones intended for use in Ukraine.

The war between Russia and Ukraine marked its fourth anniversary this week. As the conflict continues, Russia has sought to bolster its ranks in part by recruiting foreign nationals.

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