Cameroon Says Russia Confirmed Deaths of 16 Nationals Fighting in Ukraine
YAOUNDE, Cameroon – The Cameroonian government announced that Russian authorities have confirmed the deaths of 16 Cameroonian nationals who were fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine, marking one of the largest publicly acknowledged losses of African combatants in the conflict.
In a diplomatic memo addressed to the Russian Embassy in Cameroon, the country’s foreign affairs ministry said it had received confirmation of the deaths of 16 Cameroonian “soldiers serving in the special military operations zone in Ukraine.” The ministry added that “necessary arrangements” had been made to contact the families of the deceased.
Officials have not explained how the men ended up fighting in the war, nor have they released details about where, when, or under what circumstances they died. The government has previously warned citizens against joining foreign wars.
The disclosure comes amid growing reports of African nationals being recruited to fight for Russia. Earlier this year, Ukraine reported that more than 1,700 Africans were fighting on Russia’s side, with several African nations saying their citizens were tricked into joining the conflict through offers of lucrative jobs or skills training that never materialized.
Cameroon’s foreign affairs ministry did not specify whether the 16 men were professional soldiers or mercenaries, nor did it indicate if any legal action would be taken against recruiters.
The Russian Embassy in Yaoundé has not publicly commented on the memo.
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