For the first time since the conflict began, authorities in Yaoundé have acknowledged the deaths of at least sixteen Cameroonian nationals fighting with the Russian army on the Ukrainian front. Cameroon denies any military agreement with Moscow.
For the first time since the invasion triggered by Vladimir Putin in 2022, the Cameroonian government officially mentioned on Monday, April 6, the involvement of its citizens in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. This announcement follows a diplomatic note received on March 5 from the Russian embassy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The document specifies that these sixteen nationals died in a “special military operation zone,” the terminology used by Moscow to describe the invasion of Ukraine by its army. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged the families of the deceased to contact officials in Yaoundé after the release of their names on national radio.
“Meat for the cannon”
Since 2022, Moscow has recruited fighters from various nations like Nepal, India, or Cuba. An investigation from Important Stories in April 2025 identified more than 1,500 foreign fighters from 48 countries.
Last February, an intelligence report indicated that over 1,000 Kenyans traveled to Russia to end up fighting in Ukraine, with many unaware of the fate that awaited them. While two Cameroonian mercenaries were captured by the Ukrainian army in 2025, the exact circumstances of the engagement of the sixteen soldiers who were killed remain unclear. Authorities are unsure if they volunteered or were forced to serve.
Cameroon denies militarily supporting Russia
Cameroon claims not to officially deploy troops abroad outside of international mandates. In March 2025, the Minister of Defense expressed concern over soldiers leaving the country to join the Ukrainian front and ordered officers to closely monitor their units. This situation arises despite a security agreement signed between Yaoundé and Moscow in 2022.
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, at least 1,780 African citizens are fighting for Russia. While North Korea remains the primary contributor with 12,000 soldiers, the Cameroonian case illustrates the extent of foreign recruitment in this conflict. The identification of the victims was made possible because the names were “transmitted to the Cameroonian authorities by the Russian authorities,” according to the official statement.
