South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed gratitude to Vladimir Putin for facilitating the return of 17 South African citizens who had been caught fighting in Ukraine.
The men were reportedly misled into traveling to Russia for bodyguard training but ended up on the frontline in Ukraine’s Donbas region. Ramaphosa said four have already returned, while 11 more are expected home soon.
Two remain in Russia one hospitalized in Moscow, the other undergoing administrative travel procedures.
The group had sent urgent distress calls to South African authorities in November. Ramaphosa raised their situation with Putin earlier this month, prompting their release.
Probes are ongoing into how the men were recruited, focusing on possible human trafficking, fraud, and violations of South African laws prohibiting citizens from joining foreign militaries without government approval.
The president reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to a negotiated, peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
The announcement coincided with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said has failed to meet Moscow’s objectives and underscored Kyiv’s determination to achieve peace and justice without betraying the sacrifices of its people.