Russia Denies Involvement in Alleged Recruitment of Kenyans for Ukraine War
The Russian Embassy in Kenya has dismissed claims that a Russian national, who was reportedly caught trying to recruit Kenyans to fight in the Ukraine war, was acting on behalf of the Russian government.
This follows a police operation in which 22 Kenyans were rescued while they were allegedly preparing to travel to Russia.
According to the embassy, the Russian man was taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on the evening of Thursday, September 25, 2025, where he was questioned about his activities in the country.
The embassy insisted that he was not arrested or deported, saying he voluntarily left Kenya on Friday, September 26, as previously planned.
In a statement issued on Saturday, September 27, the Russian Embassy explained that it had offered the man legal and consular assistance to ensure his rights were respected during his interaction with Kenyan authorities.
“In light of several media reports claiming the ‘arrest’ and ‘deportation’ of a Russian citizen in Kenya, we would like to clarify the situation.
On the evening of September 25, 2025, Kenyan law enforcement officers escorted a Russian national to a DCI office in Nairobi for questioning,” the embassy said. “After all procedures were completed, on the afternoon of September 26, the individual left Kenya according to his earlier travel plans.
Russian diplomats provided legal and consular support and confirmed that his rights were upheld.”
The embassy added that Kenyan security organs did not give them any formal communication regarding accusations or possible criminal charges against the man.
Contrary to circulating reports, the embassy emphasized that the individual has no ties to any Russian government agency and does not work for the Russian Embassy in Nairobi.
“The embassy remains open to working constructively with Kenyan authorities on matters involving Russian citizens living or visiting the country. This includes ensuring they follow both Kenyan and Russian laws. We will continue to safeguard their interests and legal rights,” the statement noted.
This clarification was issued after widespread media coverage alleged that a Russian national had been apprehended for operating a human trafficking network that was sending Kenyans to Ukraine under false pretenses.
Kenyan police said they rescued 22 people from a house in Athi River, where they were allegedly waiting for travel documents to be processed. According to investigators, the victims were promised well-paying jobs in Russia, but there were suspicions they would be deployed to fight in Ukraine without their knowledge or approval.
Authorities further claimed that the Russian national was planning the victims’ travel between September and October this year. Police sources said he was taken to court after his arrest, where officers were reportedly granted an additional 10 days to continue investigations.
Detectives added that the rescued victims had signed agreements with an unidentified employment agency. They allegedly committed to paying up to $18,000 (about Ksh2.33 million), which would cover visa processing, airfare, and accommodation.
The case has sparked concern about international recruitment scams and the exploitation of desperate job seekers. Kenyan authorities say investigations are still underway to uncover the individuals and networks behind the scheme.
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