Russia Reacts To Recruitment of Kenyans For The Ukraine War
The Russian government has responded to charges regarding the supposed recruitment of Kenyan residents in the ongoing battle in Ukraine, rejecting any involvement in the alleged employment.
The Russian Embassy in Kenya issued a statement on February 19 dismissing what it described as a ‘dangerous and deceptive misinformation effort’ by Kenyan media and members of the public.
“The Embassy of the Russian Federation has noted with great concern that a dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign has been unfolding in the Kenyan media and public spaces,” the embassy stated.
Adding, “It is about cases of Kenyan citizens who travelled to the Russian Federation, joined the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and saw combat in the conflict in Ukraine.”
❗️Press release of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Kenya on reports around participation of Kenyan citizens in the conflict in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/gZCCtYY2Fs
— Russian Embassy in Kenya/Посольство России в Кении (@russembkenya) February 19, 2026
According to the embassy, President Vladimir Putin’s administration has never coordinated or assisted the unlawful recruitment of Kenyan soldiers into the Russian army.
The embassy emphasized that it did not provide visas to Kenyan residents to participate in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“The Embassy refutes such allegations in the strongest possible terms,” the statement read in part.
“The Government authorities of Russia have never engaged in illegal recruitment of Kenyan citizens in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.”
However, the Russian government underlined that its law does not bar foreign people from voluntarily enlisting in its armed forces if they are legally residing in Russia and have the necessary qualifications.
“It must be understood that the legislation of the Russian Federation does not preclude citizens of foreign countries from voluntarily enlisting in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” the embassy clarified.
In its statement, the Russian government urged a constructive engagement with President William Ruto’s administration, adding that bilateral negotiations would help to resolve the issue.
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The embassy’s statement comes a day after the National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced that 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
Families of Kenyans recruited into the Russia-Ukraine conflict have petitioned the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour, as well as the National Assembly and the Senate, over the status of repatriation efforts.
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) February 19, 2026
Speaking at Nairobi’s Jeevanjee Gardens, Peter Kamau, whose kin… pic.twitter.com/cG0wy3jYGR
According to a report provided to parliament by NIS on Wednesday, February 18, 89 Kenyans were on the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict as of February this year.
The report further revealed that at least one Kenyan has died, while several others have been brought back to the country either injured or traumatised.
The report, which was publicly read out by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah, alleged that certain recruitment agencies colluded with staff at the Russian embassy in Nairobi to help recruits get Russian visas.
Russia Reacts To Recruitment of Kenyans For The Ukraine War
