Kenyan President Asked Zelensky To Release Captured Mercenaries

• 8.11.2025, 12:59

Ruto called Russia's recruitment of Kenyan citizens a "gamble."

Kenyan President William Ruto has held a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and asked him to facilitate the release of Kenyans who have been captured. Ruto called Russia's recruitment of Kenyan citizens a "gamble."

"We expressed concern about the young Kenyans who were illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine and agreed to raise awareness about the dangers of such adventures. I have asked President Zelensky to facilitate the release of Kenyans in detention in Ukraine. I am grateful ... for the fact that he granted my appeal," Ruto wrote in the social network X.

The conversation between the presidents took place on November 6. The Ukrainian president's press office said the day before that Zelensky and Ruto discussed the recruitment of foreign citizens by Russia to participate in the war.

"Ukraine and Kenya are aware of all fraudulent methods and will work more closely to stop it," the Office of the President of Ukraine said.