Key facts
- Police said the nine, aged 20 to 26, are accused of contravening South African laws that outlaw mercenary activity without government permission.
- Authorities declined to disclose the group's nationalities but said none of them resided in South Africa.
- Police said the group's final destination is unclear and did not say whether they intended to fight for Russia or Ukraine.
- Police said Interpol's involvement indicated the suspects had also allegedly violated laws in their home countries.
- The nine are expected to appear in court later on Monday or on Tuesday, according to police.
South African police said nine foreigners aged between 20 and 26 were arrested in and around Johannesburg on Sunday evening, November 8, 2026, after they were caught allegedly trying to leave the country to fight in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The group was detained as they were "preparing to board flights out of the country", police said, adding that their final destination is unclear.
The arrests took place at OR Tambo, South Africa's biggest airport, and at a hotel in Bruma, east of Johannesburg, by a multidisciplinary team that involved Interpol. Police said the involvement of Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies indicated the suspects had also allegedly violated laws in their respective home countries, prompting cooperation with South African authorities.
The group is accused of contravening South African laws that outlaw mercenary activity without government permission. Authorities declined to disclose the group's nationalities but confirmed that none of them resided in South Africa. They have not said whether the group allegedly intended to fight for Russia or Ukraine, nor provided details of the organizations allegedly involved in facilitating their travel.
Citizens of several African countries, including Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, have gone to fight for Russia in Ukraine, some saying they had been duped and had not realized where they were going. A Ukrainian intelligence assessment estimated earlier this year that more than 1,700 people from 36 countries in Africa have been recruited to fight for Russia. Kenya at the time estimated that 252 citizens had been illegally conscripted in Russia, and in March Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi visited Moscow to address the issue, saying an agreement had been reached to stop recruiting Kenyan nationals.
In February, Ghana said 55 of its citizens had been killed in the conflict, with 272 believed to have been lured to fight since the war started in 2022. The same month, South Africa secured the return of 17 South Africans who were allegedly tricked into joining the war. In December last year, South African authorities arrested five people, including a journalist, for allegedly recruiting people to join the war. Ukraine has also been recruiting foreign nationals, including from Africa.