South African Mercenaries Return Home After Russian Combat Ordeal

Government Probes Alleged Human Trafficking Scheme Linked to Ukraine Conflict.

Eleven South African men arrived at King Shaka International Airport in Durban yesterday, marking the end of a harrowing six-month ordeal in which they were allegedly deceived into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine.

The group, aged between 20 and 39, represents the latest wave of returnees from a larger cohort lured abroad under the guise of lucrative private security contracts.

Investigations suggest the men were recruited in August 2025 with promises of high-paying bodyguard roles. Upon arrival in Russia, however, their passports were confiscated, and they were deployed to Donbas Frontline. This homecoming follows intense diplomatic negotiations between Pretoria and Moscow, sparked by desperate pleas from families who claimed their relatives were being used as “cannon fodder.”

The South African Police Service has initiated a high-level probe into the recruitment networks behind the scheme. Local authorities are examining potential violations of the Foreign Military Assistance Act, which strictly prohibits citizens from participating in external conflicts without state approval.

As the men undergo debriefing and medical evaluations, the focus shifts to a suspected human trafficking ring operating within South Africa. Officials warn that this incident highlights a growing trend of foreign actors exploiting local economic vulnerabilities for military gain.