Russia Denies Recruiting Up To 1,000 Kenyans To Fight In Ukraine War, But Admits Foreigners Can Voluntarily Fight
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The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has rejected claims that it is recruiting Kenyan citizens to participate in the ongoing war in Ukraine, dismissing the allegations as unfounded and misleading.
In a statement issued on February 19, 2026, the diplomatic mission said it had taken note of media reports suggesting that as many as 1,000 Kenyans had travelled to Russia and enlisted in the Russian military for combat operations in Ukraine. The embassy insisted it had no involvement in any such process.
According to the mission, Russian authorities have not conducted any unlawful recruitment of Kenyan nationals into the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It stressed that neither the embassy nor its officials had facilitated or encouraged Kenyans to join the conflict.
The statement also maintained that no visas had been issued to Kenyan applicants who openly declared intentions to participate in what Moscow refers to as its “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine.
However, the embassy clarified that Russian legislation permits foreign nationals who are legally resident in the country to voluntarily enlist in its armed forces if they choose to do so.
It emphasized that such decisions would be individual actions taken under Russian law and not the result of any organized recruitment drive targeting Kenyan citizens.
The embassy further disclosed that Russian and Kenyan authorities have been in communication over the matter, describing the engagement as ongoing and constructive.
It added that draft agreements between both countries, covering areas such as labour migration, travel arrangements, and security cooperation, remain under consideration and could help establish clearer frameworks for collaboration in the future.
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