South Africa Received A "distress Call" From 17 Citizens Fighting In Ukraine

• 6.11.2025, 9:37

An investigation has been launched.

The South African government has claimed to have received "distress signals" from 17 South African men who took part in the war between Russia and Ukraine. This was said in a statement by the South African government, UNIAN reports.

"The South African government has received emergency calls requesting assistance in returning home from 17 South African men aged between 20 and 39 who are trapped in war-torn Donbass in Ukraine," the statement claimed.

Sixteen of them are said to be from the province of KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Eastern Cape.

The President reminded South Africans that under the Foreign Military Assistance Act 1998, citizens or organizations are prohibited from offering or providing military assistance to foreign governments or participating in hostilities of foreign countries without the permission of the South African government.

"President Syril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men into this apparently mercenary activity. The South African government is working through diplomatic channels to ensure the return of these young men in response to their requests for assistance in returning home," the statement said.