Russia-Ukraine war: Botswana says citizens recruited at alarming rate

Botswana on Saturday cautioned citizens against falling prey to deceptive recruitment schemes that allegedly lure them into fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.

In a statement, the nation's Ministry of International Relations said the number of nationals being lured to the battlefront through fake job offers was rising at an alarming rate, with victims describing the conditions at the front as perilous.

African nations including Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa have expressed alarm at the fate of their citizens recruited by Moscow.

"Once in Russia, the government's ability to provide consular assistance is extremely limited, and the lives of those involved are placed in grave danger every day," the ministry said.

It said while all possible avenues to assist the victims and bring them home continued to be explored, prevention was the most effective safeguard.

"The government of Botswana strongly advises all Batswana to exercise the utmost caution when responding to advertisements for employment or traveling abroad, particularly in regions affected by armed conflict," the ministry added.

The warning comes amid growing concerns from several countries over recruitment networks allegedly targeting foreign nationals with false job offers linked to the war in Ukraine.