Andrey Podyelyshev, the Russian ambassador to Nigeria, has dismissed reports alleging the conscription of Nigerians to fight in Ukraine.
Last week, a CNN investigation revealed how Africans from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda were reportedly lured to Russia under the guise of civilian job offers such as drivers or security guards.
Most said they were promised a signing bonus of $13,000, monthly salaries of up to $3,500, and Russian citizenship at the end of their service.
However, upon arriving in Russia, they were allegedly forced into the military and given little training before being deployed to the frontline. They were reportedly made to sign military service contracts in Russian without lawyers or translations being provided. Some alleged that their passports were confiscated, effectively making it impossible to flee. There were also reports of racial abuse and inhumane treatment.
The CNN investigation was not the first time such allegations had surfaced.
But Podyelyshev distanced the Kremlin from the alleged recruitment programmes during a press conference at the Russian Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday.
“I don’t have any confirmation from Russia about this,” the envoy said.
“There is no government-supported programme to recruit Nigerians to fight in Ukraine. So if there are some illegal organisations or individuals who are not abiding by the law and are trying to recruit Nigerians to fight in Ukraine by unlawful means, this is not connected to the Russian state.”
The envoy added that Russia is ready to investigate cases of the alleged recruitment, pending the provision of “evidence.”
