Zimbabweans Trafficked Into Russia’s War With Ukraine Killed During Battle – Eduzim News

Zimbabweans Allegedly Trafficked Into Russia’s War With Ukraine, Government Urged to Intervene

By A Correspondent | Broadcaster appeals to Harare for urgent rescue as reports emerge of Zimbabweans deceived with job offers and forced onto frontlines.

Harare — A Zimbabwean broadcaster has issued an urgent appeal to the government to intervene and rescue Zimbabwean nationals allegedly trapped in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine after being lured abroad with false promises of employment.

In a letter dated 10 March 2026, broadcaster Ezra Sibanda wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, calling for immediate diplomatic action to locate and repatriate Zimbabweans he claims were trafficked to Russia and deployed to the frontlines of the war.

The appeal relates to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War, which has drawn international attention over allegations that foreign nationals have been recruited or coerced into the conflict.

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Allegations of Deception and Forced Deployment

According to Sibanda’s letter, several Zimbabwean men travelled to Russia after being promised legitimate employment opportunities such as truck driving, security work, and cleaning jobs.

The recruits were allegedly promised a once-off payment of US$37,000 and a monthly salary of US$4,000, sums that reportedly persuaded many to leave their homes in search of financial stability.

However, Sibanda claims the situation changed dramatically upon their arrival.

> “Upon arrival in Russia, many of them had their passports confiscated and were immediately transported in buses to military barracks,” he wrote.

Instead of the promised jobs, the men were allegedly subjected to mistreatment before receiving a brief two-week crash course in handling firearms and being deployed to the frontline in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk.

Sibanda claims the Zimbabweans told him they were being used as “expendable human shields and bait” in the fighting.

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Reports of Deaths and Injuries

The broadcaster said he had received distress messages suggesting that some Zimbabweans may already have died in combat.

Survivors reportedly described bodies left on battlefields without recovery or proper burial, while others are said to have been severely injured in drone strikes and left without adequate medical treatment.

He also reported claims that some individuals, overwhelmed by fear and trauma, had taken their own lives rather than return to combat.

These accounts could not be independently verified at the time of publication.

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Families Left in Agony

Sibanda said families in Zimbabwe are living in uncertainty as communication with their relatives has become sporadic.

According to testimonies he received, some families were paid only about US$1,000 once, despite the original promises of significantly higher earnings.

Passports of the men are allegedly being held in Moscow, preventing them from leaving Russia.

> “These are not soldiers,” Sibanda wrote. “They are fathers, husbands, sons and brothers who believed they were going to work and support their families.”

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Call for Diplomatic Intervention

In his appeal, Sibanda urged the Zimbabwean government to engage directly with authorities in Russia to locate, protect and repatriate affected citizens.

He also claimed to possess names and contact details of recruitment agents, including individuals from both Zimbabwe and Russia, whom he suspects may be involved in human trafficking.

Sibanda said he is prepared to provide evidence and cooperate with investigators if authorities open an inquiry.

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Government Yet to Comment

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe had not publicly responded to the letter at the time of publication.

The allegations come amid increasing international scrutiny over reports that foreign nationals have been recruited into the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Legal Note

The claims outlined in Sibanda’s letter are allegations based on testimonies he says he received from individuals claiming to be affected. These accounts have not yet been independently verified, and the relevant authorities in Zimbabwe and Russia have not publicly confirmed the claims.

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