Equatorial Guinea youth warns of Russian recruitment trap

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Daniel Angel Masie Nchama, a former IT student from Equatorial Guinea, revealed how he was deceived and brutally deployed by Russian forces as an African recruit fighting in Ukraine, suffering severe hardships and heavy losses among his fellow soldiers. His testimony exposes the dangerous and coercive recruitment tactics targeting Africans, with nearly 1,800 enlisted and over 300 killed, raising international concerns about the exploitation of foreign fighters in the ongoing conflict.

Daniel Angel Masie Nchama, a 22-year-old former IT student from Equatorial Guinea, has spoken out about his experience after being recruited by Russian forces to fight in Ukraine, describing severe hardships and deception. His account highlights the risks faced by African recruits enticed by promises of military training and employment.

Nchama left Equatorial Guinea in December 2025, persuaded by a Cameroonian recruiter known only as "Fabrice" to travel to Russia with the expectation of receiving training and later working as a bodyguard. Upon arrival, he and others were asked to sign documents in Russian, a language they did not understand. When Nchama attempted to use his phone to translate the papers, a soldier brandished a weapon, pressuring him and the group to sign without comprehension. Their passports were subsequently confiscated.

Instead of the eight months of training originally promised, the recruits underwent just two weeks of basic instruction before being deployed to Ukraine. Following an additional 45 days of intensive combat preparation, Nchama and a contingent of approximately 566 recruits were transported to the front lines in eastern Ukraine. The group included many Africans such as Cameroonians, Nigerians, Libyans, and Colombians. Ukrainian authorities estimate that nearly 1,800 Africans have been enlisted by Russian forces, with over 300 reported dead.

Nchama described being assigned first to a battalion of 424 soldiers in Donetsk, where all but he were killed within two weeks. He subsequently led another battalion in Volnovakha, tasked with capturing six Ukrainian villages. At the end of the operation, only three of the recruits remained alive. The combat conditions were brutal, with Nchama recalling severe cold, extreme hunger—including a nine-day period without food—and constant fear of punishment or death for disobedience. He recounted how they resorted to eating raw deer meat to survive.

His ordeal ended after he reached out to his family in March, prompting national media attention and diplomatic intervention by the Equatorial Guinean government. After enduring relentless Ukrainian drone attacks at the front, which were temporarily halted by snowfall, he was transferred back to Murmansk in Russia’s Arctic region. There, military officials awarded him three medals and promised further rewards such as citizenship, a house, and a car. Despite these offers, Nchama eventually escaped by deceiving his superiors about his whereabouts. The Equatorial Guinean ambassador later located him at the airport and took him into protective custody.

Nchama’s father, expressing relief at his son's return, warned others about the dangers hidden behind seemingly attractive overseas opportunities. He described the recruitment promises as effectively "death guaranteed," urging youth and families to exercise caution.

The conflict in Ukraine has exacted a heavy toll on Russian forces, with estimates suggesting 400,000 to 450,000 military deaths since February 2022, according to a recent study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Nchama’s story sheds light on the recruitment of foreign fighters, especially from African countries, and the severe conditions faced by those deployed in the conflict.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.