Togo confirms nationals captured fighting for Russia in Ukraine: Many of them had left home “under alleged scholarships”

Togolese authorities confirmed on Friday that citizens of the West African nation—mostly young students—have been “captured and detained” by Ukrainian forces after reportedly fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.

In an official statement, Togo’s foreign ministry warned of a disturbing trend: students lured to Russia under the guise of academic scholarships, only to be funneled into military operations at the front lines. The ministry urged all citizens—especially youth—to exercise “utmost vigilance” and verify any overseas opportunities through official channels before making life-altering decisions.

“Before any departure abroad, particularly to Russia,” the ministry said, “young people must seek reliable and secure information.”

The case highlights a worrying consequence of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war: the recruitment or manipulation of foreign nationals—including Africans—for military involvement, often under false pretenses.

In March, the Martin Luther King Movement (MMLK), a leading human rights organization in Togo, raised the alarm about one such case. A young Togolese student, having obtained a study visa through the Russian embassy in Cotonou, left for Russia on August 21, 2024. According to MMLK, once he arrived, he was coerced into joining the Russian military. He was seriously wounded on the battlefield, captured by Ukrainian forces, and is now imprisoned.

The case is not isolated. Although exact numbers remain unclear, Togolese officials now acknowledge that “a majority” of the captured individuals had traveled under similar conditions—enticed by scholarship offers that turned out to be part of a more sinister recruitment effort.

The geopolitical fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine has had ripple effects across Africa. From skyrocketing food prices to fuel shortages and disrupted trade, the continent has already been feeling the pressure. Now, a new layer of risk is emerging: African youth becoming collateral in someone else’s war.

The misuse of fake scholarships to draw students into combat zones raises urgent questions about accountability and international oversight. It also exposes the desperation many young Africans face, where the promise of education abroad—real or fabricated—seems like the only way out of poverty or unemployment.

But this desperation is being exploited.

The Togolese government’s statement serves as both a warning and a call to action. Governments across Africa may need to step up oversight of international scholarship programs, vet third-party recruiters more aggressively, and offer clearer guidance to students seeking opportunities abroad.

As war rages on in Ukraine, and as the reach of its consequences continues to extend beyond Europe, Africa finds itself navigating dangerous terrain—one where hope can quickly turn into a battlefield.