AFU capture group of Togolese citizens. They were recruited into russian army, promising them student scholarships

The Ukrainian Defense Forces have captured several citizens of the West African country of Togo, who participated in the war against Ukraine on the side of the aggressor country, russia.

This is stated in a message published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad on April 30.

"The Togolese authorities have recently received information about the capture and detention of Togolese citizens by the Armed Forces of Ukraine when they participated in military operations on the side of the russian armed forces within the framework of the current conflict," the department reported.

According to the Togolese authorities, most of the Togolese who were captured by the Ukrainian military were recruited into the russian army under fake scholarship programs.

The ministry urged Togolese, especially young people studying abroad, to exercise maximum vigilance. They were advised to check the authenticity of scholarship offers before making any commitments.

The department added that the Togolese authorities are working with some diplomatic partners to "shed light on this situation."

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in early April 2025, it became known that in the Donetsk Region, Ukrainian military forces captured two Chinese citizens who fought against Ukraine in the ranks of the russian army.

And in January 2025, servicemen from the DPRK, who are fighting alongside the russians against Ukraine, were captured by Ukrainian military forces in the Kursk Oblast.