Ramaphosa thanks Putin for release of South Africans lured into Russia-Ukraine war

The men believed they were going to Russia for training as bodyguards but ended up on the front line.

South Africa has secured the return of 11 citizens who were allegedly lured to Russia under false pretenses, purportedly to receive security training but were instead drawn into fighting alongside Russian forces in the Ukraine conflict. President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed their impending return, increasing the total of repatriated South Africans to 15. Two additional nationals remain in Russia—one hospitalized and one preparing for departure. These efforts were facilitated through diplomatic dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the return of South African men who were lured into the battle lines between Russia and Ukraine by South African elements that remain under investigation. The South African government, working closely with the Russian government, has secured a safe return of the men. This followed receipt of distressed calls for assistance to return home from seventeen South African men between the ages of 20-39 years.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday thanked his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for helping to secure the return home of 17 of the country’s citizens. They were allegedly tricked into believing they were going to Russia for bodyguard training, but instead found themselves on the frontline of the war in Ukraine. Ramaphosa said 4 of the men are already back in the country and that 11 others would be on their way home soon.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the return home of the South African men who were lured into the battle lines between Russia and Ukraine by South African elements that remain under investigation. The South African government, working closely with the Russian government, secured the safe return of the men after receiving distressed calls for assistance to return home from 17 South African men between the ages of 20-39 years.

Another 11 South African men are set to return home from Russia after seeking assistance from government, as investigations continue into their recruitment into the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Their imminent arrival follows the earlier return of four South Africans who were part of a group of 17 men, aged between 20 and ... who contacted authorities for help. The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa confirmed that diplomatic efforts had secured their safe passage.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the return of South African men who were lured onto the battlefields in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The South African government said in November it had received "distress calls" from 17 men who were trapped in the epicentre of the fighting in Ukraine's Donbas region after being tricked into joining mercenary forces. In a statement on Tuesday, the Presidency said that out of the 17 men, four are already back in the country, while 11 will be on their way home soon.

South Africa’s president on Tuesday expressed “heartfelt gratitude” to his Russian counterpart for the return of men who were lured into fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Pretoria in November said it had received “distress calls” from 17 men who were trapped in the epicentre of the fighting in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being tricked into joining mercenary forces. Four of the men landed back home last week and 11 were expected to return soon, according to the presidency, while two remained in Russia.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said 11 men who were allegedly tricked into fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine are being sent home. It will bring to 15 the number of South African nationals to have returned after four men arrived in Johannesburg last ... . They were allegedly deceived into traveling ... .

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin after 17 men who the government said were "lured" to Russian frontlines in its war against Ukraine began returning home. In a statement Tuesday, Ramaphosa’s office said the South African government, working closely with Russian authorities, secured the repatriation of the men after receiving distress calls requesting assistance. The group, ranging in age from 20 to 39, was allegedly recruited into "mercenary activities." The circumstances surrounding their recruitment remain under investigation.

South Africa’s president on Tuesday expressed “heartfelt gratitude” to his Russian counterpart for the return of men who were lured into fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Pretoria in November said it had received “distress calls” from 17 men who were trapped in the epicentre of the fighting in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being tricked into joining mercenary forces. Four of the men landed back home last week and 11 were expected to return soon, according to the presidency, while two remained in Russia.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for helping to secure the return of 17 South Africans allegedly tricked into joining the Russia-Ukraine war. Last November, the South African government said it had received distress calls from ... group of men who had joined mercenary forces in the conflict. The men believed they were going to Russia for bodyguard training but instead ended up on the front line of the war in Ukraine. Ramaphosa's office confirmed that four of them had returned last Friday, 11 others would be 'on their way home soon' and another two at a later stage. An investigation into their recruitment was ongoing, it added.