Zimbabweans among hundreds of African fighters confirmed killed in Russia-Ukraine war

At least six Zimbabwean nationals have been confirmed killed while serving in the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine, according to a newly published database by the Ukrainian “I Want to Live” project and Stop Russian Recruiters, with researchers warning the true number could be significantly higher.

The verified list, released on June 25, 2026 contains the personal details of 485 African nationals from 29 countries who died after signing military contracts with Russia. 

It forms part of a wider database documenting 2 984 Africans from 40 countries believed to have enlisted in the Russian military since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The publication provides the first official confirmation of the deaths of relatives who travelled to Russia, in many cases after reportedly lured by promises of employment, high salaries, citizenship or other opportunities.

The Zimbabweans confirmed dead are:

Because the names were transliterated from Russian records into English, minor spelling variations may occur. For example, Mandlenkosi Nkube is likely Mandlenkosi Ncube, while Tobani Humalu is likely Thobani Khumalo.

The database also includes a seventh individual, Professor Sibanda (born 24 February 1992), who is recorded as a Ghanaian national despite bearing what appears to be a Zimbabwean name.

Sources familiar with the case believe Professor Sibanda may be the Zimbabwean TikTok content creator popularly known as Somnandi the Comedian, who used the username @somnandi.

Researchers said this discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of Russian military records and whether other Zimbabweans may have been recorded under different nationalities.

The publication has also renewed concerns about Russian recruitment networks operating in southern Africa.

Then there are several individuals listed as South African nationals, who sources familiar with recruitment patterns told CITE that some may be Zimbabwean migrants recruited while living in South Africa.

If confirmed, it would reflect a broader recruitment pattern in which economically vulnerable Zimbabweans living in South Africa are targeted with promises of employment, financial security or Russian citizenship before they are deployed to the front lines.

The project says it has identified personal data for 2 984 Africans who signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces. 

Of those, 485 have been confirmed killed, although researchers believe the actual death toll is considerably higher because Russia routinely classifies many foreign casualties as missing.

“The absence of a name does not mean a person is alive,” the project said.

“Russia systematically under-reports foreign casualties and lists the dead as missing.”

The report states African recruits are frequently assigned to the lowest military ranks and deployed in high-risk assault operations.

“Most do not speak Russian, which limits their effectiveness in combat. Rather than support roles, they are assigned to frontal assault operations with minimal survival rates,” the project said.

Researchers further allege that the deaths of foreign recruits receive little public attention within Russia.

“When they are killed, their deaths cause no political pressure inside Russia. There is no public grief, no media coverage, no domestic accountability,” stated the report.

“Bodies are typically logged as missing rather than confirmed dead. In cases where remains are recovered, they are cremated or buried in Russia. Families are not notified. Repatriation is not arranged.”

The report says families across Africa including in Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa have staged public protests demanding answers about missing relatives and calling for greater transparency from both their governments and Russian authorities.

It also alleges that although families are contractually entitled to death benefits and compensation, the Russian Ministry of Defence frequently fails to honour those obligations for foreign nationals.

“Relatives should maintain public and diplomatic pressure on Russia to account for the missing, repatriate remains and pay every rouble owed,” the report states.

Researchers encouraged families whose relatives travelled to Russia, subsequently stopped communicating or are believed to have disappeared while serving in the Russian military to contact the “I Want to Find” project, stressing that the absence of a person’s name from the published database should not be interpreted as evidence that they are alive.