Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, has issued a strong warning to Ghana and 46 other nations not to allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to drag them into the Russia-Ukraine War.
Zelensky revealed that foreign nationals, including individuals from Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nepal, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Cuba, Belarus and Sudan, have been deployed to the front lines.
According to Zelensky, while some foreign recruits went voluntarily, many ended up in the conflict through “deception and tricks.”
The Ukrainian President directly appealed to the affected countries and urged swift government action to protect their people from foreign recruitment schemes.
Speaking to world leaders at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Volodymyr Zelensky stated, “We know that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in its war in Ukraine: Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan, South Africa, and many, many others.
“I want to speak directly to every representative of these 47 countries: You know what Russia is doing with your people, your citizens. Take care of them. And do not let them end up on another front.
“Do not let Putin drag you into his war. Do not let Russia put out its fires, cover up its shame, and pay for its madness with the lives of your people. Limit his room to act. Limit his money. Limit his war,” he stated.
In related news, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that sixty-two (62) Ghanaian citizens have been killed while another 15 remain missing after travelling to Russia in the Russia-Ukraine war.
In a post shared on X, following a press conference in Moscow after bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Ablakwa stated, “During our press conference in Moscow with Foreign Minister Lavrov after our bilateral engagement, I disclosed that an important matter to Ghana was how to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth who are lured and end up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Unfortunately, the number of Ghanaian deaths in Russia has gone up. 62 Ghanaians have now died, and 15 who travelled to Russia remain missing.
I welcome the pledge of the Russian Government to work with the Government of Ghana to stop the illegal enlistment of our youth.
The Government of Ghana will continue to lead advocacy on this matter and ensure that our youth are protected from harm’s way. This is not our war, and it should not be claiming Ghanaian lives”.
It will be recalled that some weeks ago, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed that the government has launched investigations into alleged criminal recruitment networks luring Ghanaians into the Russia-Ukraine conflict through fraudulent overseas employment schemes.
According to Ablakwa, 272 Ghanaian nationals were reported to have been drafted into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with 55 reported dead.
Ablakwa disclosed that his recent visit to Kyiv revealed to him that the recruitment of Ghanaians formed part of a broader pattern involving nationals of several African countries.
He disclosed, “It is estimated that about 1,780 African nationals from 36 countries have joined Russian forces.
The Mahama Administration is committed to tracking and dismantling all dark web illegal recruitment schemes operating within our jurisdiction. This is not our war, and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others”, Mr Ablakwa stated.
“Criminal networks continue to exploit vulnerable Ghanaians through false promises of employment, education and business opportunities abroad, exposing many to trafficking, forced labour, cyber-enabled criminal activities and other forms of exploitation”, he said.
Meanwhile, a Ghanaian man has shared a harrowing experience of how he was tricked into joining the Russian military to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to a report, the Ghanaian man revealed that he was promised a job when he was recruited by an agent in Dubai.
He explained, “In his search for better opportunities, he accepted the offer, completed the required steps, and eventually travelled to Moscow, the capital of Russia.”
The Ghanaian man detailed that, upon arriving at a military camp, he discovered that he was actually expected to join the military and participate in the ongoing war.
He further revealed that “he was not alone” in this ordeal, as he was among hundreds of Africans who had been similarly deceived.
Watch the video below:
Zelensky:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 23, 2026
We know that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in its war in Ukraine — Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan, South Africa, and many, many others.
I want to speak directly to every representative of these 47 countries: you… pic.twitter.com/biZOMLBUk4
@ghnow_ “We Will Give You to the Gods to Deal With You” — Nana Yaw’s Sister Warns Against Misinformation #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “I didn’t kill Terry. We only fought, but I left the room to go for a walk.” — Philip Tefe Kofi Dzifa, a suspect arrested in connection with the death of Circle phone dealer Nana Yaw Kyere, popularly known as Terry/Dinero. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
