Russian Embassy in Kenya addresses allegations of secretly recruiting Kenyans into Russian Army for war in Ukraine

Thursday, February 19, 2026 - The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has dismissed claims that it has been secretly recruiting Kenyan citizens to fight in the ongoing war with Ukraine.

In a statement released on X on Thursday, February 19^th, 2026, the Embassy described the reports as part of a “coordinated propaganda campaign” circulating in Kenyan media and public spaces.

It insisted that allegations linking its staff to illegal recruitment schemes were false and misleading.

“The Embassy of the Russian Federation has noted with great concern that a dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign has been unfolding around cases of Kenyan citizens who travelled to Russia, joined the Armed Forces, and saw combat in Ukraine,” the statement read.

The Embassy clarified that Russian authorities have never engaged in illegal recruitment of Kenyan citizens.

It further stated that no visas had been issued to Kenyans declaring their intention to participate in what Moscow calls the “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine.

However, the Embassy acknowledged that Russian law does not prohibit foreign nationals from voluntarily enlisting in the Armed Forces if they are legally in the country.

It emphasized that the Embassy itself has not encouraged or facilitated such enlistment.

The statement also expressed readiness for “constructive and depoliticized dialogue” with the Kenyan Government, noting that several bilateral agreements on labour migration, travel, and security cooperation have been under consideration.

This denial comes amid reports from Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) that private agencies and rogue officials have been facilitating enlistment of ex-police officers, former soldiers, and civilians lured by promises of lucrative pay and eventual citizenship.

According to the reports, more than 1,000 Kenyans are believed to have left for Russia, with at least 200 already deployed in combat.

Current figures indicate 39 hospitalised, 30 repatriated, 28 missing, 89 on the front line, and at least 10 confirmed dead.

The Kenyan DAILY POST