South Africa's government announced that 11 of 17 men lured into fighting for Russia in Ukraine are set to return home soon, following the arrival of four men last week. The men had sent distress calls to South African authorities in November after becoming trapped in Ukraine's Donbas region.

President Cyril Ramaphosa raised their fate in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month. Two men remain in Russia, with one hospitalized in Moscow. Reports of African men being recruited to fight for Russia have increased tensions between Moscow and several African nations.

A Kenyan intelligence report estimates over 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight on Russia's side in the war. Kenya's foreign minister plans to visit Russia to address the issue. South Africa maintains a non-aligned stance on the Ukraine conflict while preserving strong ties with Moscow as a fellow BRICS member.

Under South African law, citizens are prohibited from providing military assistance to foreign governments or joining foreign armies without authorization. The situation highlights the growing international concern over Russia's recruitment practices targeting African nationals.