South African Police Arrest Four Men Traveling to Ukraine for War

The South African police have reported the arrest of four men on their way to Russia, suspected of being recruited to fight in the armed forces there.

According to police, the men were stopped in Johannesburg on Friday before boarding a flight, weeks after reports had emerged that another 17 South Africans remained in Ukraine, lured by promises of lucrative contracts to join mercenary forces.

Under South African law, citizens are not allowed to provide military assistance to foreign governments or to participate in foreign armies without permission.

The arrests came after information was received from Johannesburg airport police about the four men, who were traveling to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. An announcement from the Elite Hawks police unit, released on Saturday, stated, “The investigation has revealed that a South African woman allegedly assisted these individuals in their travel and recruitment to the Russian Armed Forces.”

The police have indicated that the four suspects are expected to appear in court on Monday, charged with violating the law regarding foreign military assistance.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into how the 17 individuals ended up in Ukraine, despite ongoing efforts to secure their return home.