11 SA men stranded in the Russia-Ukraine war to return home soon

President Cyril Ramaphosa says 11 of the 17 young South African men who were falsely recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war and later became stranded, are expected to return home soon.

According to the Presidency, four of the men have already returned to South Africa.

The group, aged between 20 and 39, was allegedly lured abroad under the false promise of job opportunities, only to find themselves caught up in the ongoing conflict.

Ramaphosa says efforts to secure the safe return of the remaining men are continuing, following his telephonic engagement with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

“Two remain in Russia, with one in a hospital in Moscow, while the other one is being processed before finalising his travel arrangements,” the Presidency said in a statement.

“The South African embassy in Moscow will continue to monitor the individual who is in the hospital until he has fully recovered to travel.”

Ramaphosa confirmed that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of the young men are ongoing.

Five people have since been arrested in connection with the recruitment saga, including SAfm presenter Nonkululeko Mantula.

They all face a charge of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998. The matter is expected to return to court on 29 April.

The accused were arrested following a tip-off from OR Tambo International Airport police, who intercepted them as they attempted to travel to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. They were removed from the boarding gate after being authorities deemed their movements suspicious.

It is alleged that Mantula facilitated the recruitment and travel of her co-accused to join the Russian Federation’s military.

Meanwhile, a war of words ensued during last week’s SONA debate, when International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola, accused former president Jacob Zuma of enabling the recruitment of young South Africans.

The controversy also led to the resignation of MK Party member, Dudu Zuma-Sambudla, from Parliament, amid allegations of her involvement.

President @CyrilRamaphosa has welcomed the return of the South African men who were lured into the battle lines between Russia and Ukraine by South African elements that remain under investigation. https://t.co/NLM33sahZV

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) February 24, 2026