news 7 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Russia Verifies Deaths of 16 Cameroonians in Ukraine Conflict
Cameroon's foreign ministry has announced that Russian officials confirmed the deaths of 16 nationals fighting as military contractors in Russia's Ukraine operation. The government urged families to contact officials in Yaounde amid concerns over citizens joining foreign wars. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/russia-confirms-deaths-of-16-cameroonians-fighting-in-ukraine-war-5415674
Cameroon’s authorities revealed that Russia has officially confirmed the loss of 16 citizens involved in the Ukraine war, marking the first public acknowledgment from the Central African nation on this issue.
The foreign ministry aired a statement on state media Monday evening, urging relatives of the deceased to reach out to officials in Yaounde. A diplomatic note from the same day described the men as Cameroonian military contractors in Russia’s ‘special military operation’ zone.
Details on how these individuals joined Russian forces, or the specifics of their deaths including location and timing, were not disclosed. The Russian embassy in Yaounde has yet to comment.
Ukraine reported over 1,700 Africans fighting for Russia in February, with experts suggesting the actual number exceeds this. Russia denies any illegal recruitment of Africans.
Earlier, in March 2025, Cameroon’s defense minister issued an internal memo warning of soldiers deserting to fight in Ukraine and ordered stricter unit oversight. The country maintains it only sends troops abroad under international or regional agreements and has cautioned citizens against foreign conflicts.