Military experts call for probe after website lists 69 South Africans said to be fighting for Russia

Military experts and analysts are urging an investigation after a Ukrainian website published a list of people it identified as South Africans recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine. The site, I Want to Live, published the names of 69 alleged South African recruits, and said at least 10 of them have been killed.

What the published list says

The Ukrainian website named 69 individuals it described as South Africans fighting with Russian forces. The site also reported that at least 10 of the listed people had been killed on the battlefield. The list has drawn scrutiny, with observers noting some entries may not be South African and that at least one of the fatalities was from Zimbabwe.

Calls for an official inquiry

Military analysts in South Africa have urged the government to establish how citizens could have been recruited to fight for Russia, reportedly under false pretences. Defence analyst Dean Wingrin said foreign private companies are using incentives and, in some cases, false advertising to entice recruits from African countries to go to Russia. He said people can be misled into thinking they are going to work or study in safe areas but then find themselves on the front line.

Context from recent military engagement

The website drew attention to a recent meeting between Lieutenant-General Lawrence Mbatha, chief of the South African Army, and Colonel General Alexander Matovnikov, deputy commander-in-chief of Russian land forces. The report said the Russian defence ministry described the meeting as discussing strengthened cooperation between the two land forces and joint projects to enhance combat readiness, and that Russia had thanked South Africa’s political and military leadership for what it called their firm position and a shared vision of a so-called multipolar world.

Political and expert reactions

Chris Hattingh, the DA spokesperson on defence, expressed concern about a disconnect between Pretoria’s stated foreign policy and defence diplomacy being pursued by elements within the SANDF. Military affairs expert Helmoed-Römer Heitman said the visit signalled support for the invasion, while noting South Africa claims to be neutral.

What experts say should happen next

Analysts and former defence officials quoted in the report called for clarity on how the recruits were targeted and brought into the conflict. They highlighted that South Africa has military cooperation agreements with many countries for training and exchanges, but emphasised that such agreements do not create mutual defence alliances.

Key points

• 69 names were published by the Ukrainian website I Want to Live as alleged South African recruits.
• The site reported at least 10 deaths among those named.
• Observers warned some names on the list may not be South African and at least one fatality was from Zimbabwe.
• Experts urged an investigation into recruitment methods and oversight.

“They go to Russia thinking they are going to work or study in safe areas, yet find themselves on the front line,” the report quoted a defence analyst as saying.

Reporting organisations cited in the original coverage include News24, AP, Reuters, Al Jazeera and The New York Times.