Ukrainian intelligence reports Russia is increasing recruitment from African
countries to address military manpower shortfalls. The report cites 699 men
recruited from Burundi in the first nine months of this year versus 30 in all of
2025, and 530 men from Zimbabwe versus 65 in 2025; recruitment has also risen
sharply in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Cameroon.
The programme is intended to "make up for heavy personnel losses and a shortage
of mobilisable personnel," the report said.
