Ramaphosa Expresses Gratitude to Putin as South African Men Lured into Russia-Ukraine War Begin Returning Home

 President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his cooperation in securing the safe return of South African citizens who were deceived into fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In a statement released by the Presidency on Tuesday, Ramaphosa welcomed the repatriation of the men, describing it as a positive outcome of direct diplomatic engagement. He expressed "heartfelt gratitude" to Putin, who responded favorably to South Africa's request for assistance following a phone call between the two leaders earlier this month on February 10.

The group consists of 17 South African men, aged between 20 and 39, primarily from KwaZulu-Natal, who were reportedly lured to Russia under false pretenses of high-paying civilian jobs. Instead, they were recruited and deployed to the frontlines in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. The men sent distress calls to the South African government in November 2025 after realizing their situation.

According to the Presidency's update:

Four men arrived back in South Africa last week, landing at O.R. Tambo International Airport.

11 more are expected to return home soon after being transported from the conflict zone to Moscow.

One individual remains hospitalized in a Moscow facility.

Another is preparing to travel.

The South African government, in collaboration with Russian authorities, facilitated the process, which involved moving the men out of active combat zones. Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa's neutral stance on the conflict and emphasized the importance of protecting its citizens abroad.

The African National Congress (ANC), including Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, commended the President's intervention and called for a swift investigation into those responsible for the deceptive recruitment. Some reports have linked the men to affiliations with political groups, though the focus remains on their safe return and family reunification.

This development highlights broader concerns about African nationals being targeted for recruitment into the Russia-Ukraine war, with similar cases reported in other countries. South African authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge citizens to verify overseas job offers carefully.