Four South Africans Return from Ukraine War Deception

Four South African men who were recruited under false pretenses to work in Russia and ended up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine conflict returned home on Wednesday, arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. They were among a group of 17 citizens who traveled to Russia last year, believing they had secured legitimate employment opportunities.

The men landed in the early afternoon and were immediately escorted by police officers to a secure area for interviews as part of an ongoing investigation into their recruitment. Officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed the arrivals, noting that the process to bring back the remaining individuals is still underway. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola addressed the matter in parliament on Wednesday, stating, "As I speak, some of them have already returned." He added that President Cyril Ramaphosa is pursuing further discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin to facilitate the release of others, including any associated with private security firms in southern Russia.

The episode began in November when South African authorities received distress calls from the 17 men,...