Waiting for Moses: Africa’s sons in Russia’s war

African families are bearing the brunt of Russia's war in Ukraine, left to count the cost as their sons fight on the front lines for Moscow.

Many young African men, often students or migrant workers, found themselves recruited into Russian military service. Some were promised financial incentives, while others may have been coerced or misled into service. Their involvement in the conflict has left their families back home in a state of distress and uncertainty.

These families face immense challenges in obtaining reliable information about their relatives' whereabouts and well-being. The prospect of financial support from Russia remains uncertain, and the possibility of bringing their loved ones home seems increasingly remote. The war in Ukraine has thus created a profound humanitarian crisis for these African families, stretching across continents.