South Africa detains foreigners suspected of heading to join Russian forces

South African police have arrested nine foreign nationals suspected of seeking to travel from the country to fight in Russia’s war on Ukraine . The suspects were arrested late Sunday night at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg and at a nearby hotel, police said. Numerous reports have detailed how people from Africa and other continents have been tricked into travelling to Russia only to be forced to join Moscow’s grinding war on its neighbour.

Police officials said the suspects, aged between 20 and 26, were preparing to board flights to Russia when officers intervened. The men were detained following an investigation involving Interpol and local law enforcement agencies. Neither the suspects’ nationalities nor their plans once they arrived in Russia were given.

The nine are expected to appear before a court on charges relating to violations of South Africa’s Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. The law prohibits mercenary activity and regulates military assistance to parties in foreign conflicts, including recruitment and training.