Cameroon said Russian authorities have confirmed the deaths of 16 Cameroonians fighting against Ukraine, the first time the Central African country has spoken about the involvement of its nationals in the ongoing war.
In a statement broadcast on state media on Monday evening, the foreign ministry called on the families of the dead to contact Ministry officials in the capital city of Yaounde.
Russian authorities have denied illegally recruiting African citizens to fight in Ukraine.
The Russian embassy in Yaounde did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Ukraine said in February that more than 1 700 Africans were fighting for Russia, though the analysts say the true figure is likely higher.
In an internal memo issued in March 2025 and seen by Reuters, Cameroon’s Defence Minister expressed concern that soldiers were leaving the country to join the war in Ukraine and instructed commanding officers to closely monitor their units.
–Reuters–
