Ugandans are among the foreign fighters joining Russia in the war in Ukraine, according to new reports.
Earlier this week, a group believed to be from Uganda was filmed in eastern Ukraine singing Ugandan military songs to boost morale. One combatant was heard saying “Kaweddemu,” a Luganda phrase meaning “it is over.”
A Russian soldier films a large detachment of African mercenaries recruited to wage war against Ukraine.
Behind their backs, he comments in Russian that they are essentially disposable cannon fodder: “Look how many disposables are here.” pic.twitter.com/yBDE6jnypS
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) January 11, 2026
Questions remain about how the fighters were recruited and deployed. Days earlier, Ukrainian forces captured Ugandan national Richard Akantorana, who said he had taken out a loan for a promised job in Russia but was instead forced to fight against Ukraine.
The 63rd Mechanized Brigade reported that since the fall, Ukrainian drone operators and infantry units have encountered armed foreign fighters advancing toward their positions. Many lacked identification, making it impossible to confirm their nationalities.
Ukraine’s foreign minister has said Russia has recruited over 1,400 fighters from dozens of African nations, often using false job offers to lure them.
Africans are not the only foreign nationals involved in the conflict. In 2024, North Korea reportedly sent over 10,000 troops to support Russia in Ukraine.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that a language barrier between Russian and North Korean troops has created major coordination challenges. “Poor integration and ongoing communication problems between Russian and North Korean forces are likely to continue causing friction,” ISW said.