Ramaphosa secures Putin’s support for the return of 17 South Africans caught in Russia-Ukraine war
mg.co.za/politics/2026-02-11-ramaphosa-secures-putins-support-for-the-return-of-17-south-africans-caught-in-russia-ukraine-war/
Photo: mg.co.za · view article
Putin Commits to Repatriate 17 South Africans AbroadRamaphosa and Putin agreed on cooperation to return 17 South Africans trapped in conflict zones of Ukraine by 2026.
- Russian President Putin promised assistance for the return of 17 South Africans caught in the Ukraine war.
- The men were reportedly deceived by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla into traveling to Russia and subsequently recruited into combat.
- Family members describe sporadic contact and serious injuries among the men, including paralysis in one case.
- South African authorities are investigating the recruitment process for possible violations of foreign military involvement laws.
In this regard, teams from both sides will continue their engagements towards the finalisation of this process.— This was stated in a release by President Cyril Ramaphosa following his phone call with President Vladimir Putin regarding the support for the return of the 17 South Africans.
Story Details
| Last Updated | |
| Total Articles | 5 |
Main Topics
2nd and 4th President of Russia (2000–2008, 2012–present), 7th and 11th Prime Minister of Russia (1999–2000, 2008–2012), Director of the Federal Security Service (1998–1999) and Deputy Mayor of Saint
News on this topic
Ramaphosa secures Putin’s support for the return of 17 South Africans caught in Russia-Ukraine war
mg.co.za/politics/2026-02-11-ramaphosa-secures-putins-support-for-the-return-of-17-south-africans-caught-in-russia-ukraine-war/
World: Ramaphosa, Putin discuss return of S. Africans fighting with Russia: Pretoria
newvision.co.ug/category/world/ramaphosa-putin-discuss-return-of-s-africans-NV_227965_022026
Similar to This
Previous
Xenophobia: President Ramaphosa condemns South African ‘opportunists’, ‘criminals’ attacking other Africans
premiumtimesng.com/foreign/africa/878651-xenophobia-president-ramaphosa-condemns-south-african-opportunists-criminals-attacking-other-africans.html
OpinionEDITORIAL: Xenophobic Attacks: Ramaphosa, urgently show leadership: The unfortunate insularity being advocated by South Africans misses the essential point of a ...
premiumtimesng.com/opinion/editorial/878555-editorial-xenophobic-attacks-ramaphosa-urgently-show-leadership.html
eNCA May 06
South Africans are not xenophobic - Presidency: A series of anti-migrant protests in recent weeks across Africa's most industrialised country ...
enca.com/top-stories/south-africans-are-not-xenophobic-presidency
Kenya: PLO Lumumba Condemns Xenophobic Attacks On Africans in Letter to Ramaphosa
allafrica.com/stories/202605070192.html
OpinionAfrica, don’t let Russia use you: Seeing Africans fight and die for this insane comeback of imperialism in its cruelest, boldest form is wrong on many levels
mg.co.za/thought-leader/opinion/2026-02-27-africa-dont-let-russia-use-you/
EWN Feb 28
KZN govt lauds Ramaphosa following safe return of South Africans lured into Russia-Ukraine war
ewn.co.za/2026/02/28/kzn-govt-lauds-ramaphosa-following-safe-return-of-south-africans-lured-into-russia-ukraine-war
EWN Feb 26
Government thanks Putin for release of South Africans lured into Russian contracts
ewn.co.za/2026/02/26/government-thanks-putin-for-release-of-south-africans-lured-into-russian-contracts
South Africa secures return of 11 men ‘lured’ into Russia-Ukraine war: South African President Ramaphosa expresses ‘heartfelt gratitude’ to Russia’s Putin for ...
aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/25/south-africa-secures-return-of-11-men-lured-into-russia-ukraine-war
Four of the 17 men caught in Russia-Ukraine war back in South Africa: This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to help with the repatriation ...
mg.co.za/news/2026-02-18-four-of-the-17-men-stuck-in-russia-ukraine-war-back-in-south-africa/
Four South Africans return from Russia-Ukraine war : Withdrawal follows talks between Ramaphosa and Putin
timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-02-18-four-south-africans-return-from-russia-ukraine-war/
The daughter of South Africa’s former leader has been accused of luring men to fight for Russia. Here’s what we know
edition.cnn.com/2025/12/05/africa/south-africa-russia-mercenary-recruits-intl
Ukraine claims soldiers from African countries are fighting Russia’s ‘meat assaults’
independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-soldiers-africa-fighting-russia-b2860879.html
South Africans trapped in Ukraine: Pretoria probing how they were lured to join mercenary forces
iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-11-06-south-africans-trapped-in-ukraine-pretoria-probing-how-they-were-lured-to-join-mercenary-forces/
Key FactsSouth Africa Probes Mercenary Recruitment Amid Ukraine War
Nov 6, 2025 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
- South Africa announced an inquiry into how 17 of its citizens joined mercenary forces in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- These men, aged 20 to 39, were deceived by promises of lucrative jobs and are currently trapped in Ukraine's Donbas region.
- President Ramaphosa has ordered a thorough investigation into their recruitment, with no confirmation on which side they are fighting for.
- The government aims to repatriate the men while maintaining a non-aligned stance and noting similar incidents involving other African nationals.
Russia claims more Ukraine land as hopes for summit fade: Russia claims more Ukraine land as hopes for summit fade - Europe - The Jakarta Post
thejakartapost.com/world/2025/08/24/russia-claims-more-ukraine-land-as-hopes-for-summit-fade.html
Ramaphosa takes aim at UNSC during Brics meeting while DA calls him out over friendship with Putin
timeslive.co.za/politics/2024-10-23-ramaphosa-takes-aim-at-unsc-during-brics-meeting-while-da-calls-him-out-over-friendship-with-putin/
Ukraine war must end, South African President Ramaphosa tells Putin: Cyril Ramaphosa and other African leaders met the Ukrainian and Russian presidents in their ...
bbc.com/news/world-europe-65940655
Ramaphosa says South Africa has been asked to mediate Russia-Ukraine: President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday South Africa had been asked to mediate in the ...
reuters.com/world/ramaphosa-says-south-africa-has-been-asked-mediate-russia-ukraine-2022-03-10/
Next