Cameroon 'military contractors' killed in Russia-Ukraine war - BBC confirms leaked message

The government usually refrains from commenting on the participation of its citizens in the conflict. Cameroon 'military contractors' killed in Russia-Ukraine war - BBC confirms leaked message Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. According to Ukrainian intelligence, individuals from 36 African nations have been recruited to fight for Russia A road with overgrown, dry grass on either side. At the end of the road (in the centre back) is a military vehicle and a rocket being launched. In the front right, is the back of a soldier watching it. The soldier is wearing military fatigues with a vest and a helmet. Sixteen Cameroonians have been killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, the BBC has confirmed after a foreign ministry source verified that a recently leaked diplomatic note circulating on social media about the deaths was authentic. The government has faced criticism over its prolonged silence on the issue - and this marks the first recognition of the involvement of its nationals in the conflict. A recent report by All Eyes on Wagner, a group that investigates mercenary activities worldwide, said 94 Cameroonians had died in the war between 2023 and 2025. The leaked note - from Cameroon's foreign ministry to the Russian embassy - describes the 16 who had died as "military contractors". Attempts to contact the Russian embassy about the note, which was dated 5 March, were unsuccessful. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that more than 1,700 individuals from 36 African nations have been recruited to fight for Russia. David Kuloba and a Russian soldier in full combat gear pose for the camera in a forest Lured by lucrative job offers and sent to fight for Russia - Kenyans want their sons back A composite image of the Russian flag, South Sudanese flag, drones in silhouette and an anonymous woman in silhouette. 'My skin was peeling' - the African women tricked into making Russian drones Cameroon still has not acknowledged the deaths in an official statement. However, on Monday a statement from the foreign ministry was sent to the state broadcaster CRTV, listing the names of 16 Cameroonians it said were resident in Russia. Aired on Monday evening, it asked the relatives of those named to get in touch about an urgent matter, giving no further information. While Cameroon refrains from publicly commenting on its nationals participating in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Reuters news agency reports that it saw an internal memo from March 2025 in which the defence minister expressed concern over soldiers leaving the country to fight in Ukraine, and asked officers to monitor their units. Several African nations have sought to address the worrying number of their nationals being lured to fight for Russia. Ghana is amongst those which has urged Russia to stop recruiting combatants. The West African nation says at least 55 Ghanaians have been killed fighting in the war. Ghana is amongst those which has urged Russia to stop recruiting combatants. The West African nation says at least 55 Ghanaians have been killed fighting in the war In February, Kenya's foreign minister told the BBC that more than 600 recruitment agencies suspected of duping Kenyans with promises of jobs abroad had been closed. In February, Kenya's foreign minister told the BBC that more than 600 recruitment agencies suspected of duping Kenyans with promises of jobs abroad had been closed. Sixteen Kenyans are said to be missing in Russia, while 47 others have returned home from the front in Ukraine, officials have said. Sixteen Kenyans are said to be missing in Russia , while 47 others have returned home from the front in Ukraine, officials have said. Zimbabwe says 15 nationals have been killed after being recruited, and more than 60 people are still trapped on the front lines. Zimbabwe says 15 nationals have been killed after being recruited, and more than 60 people are still trapped on the front lines. Earlier this year, South Africa repatriated 17 citizens who said they had been trapped in Ukraine's Donbas region after being deceived into fighting for Russia. who said they had been trapped in Ukraine's Donbas region after being deceived into fighting for Russia. More on people fighting for Russia in Ukraine from the BBC A head shot of Evans Kibet wearing a pink shirt and looking at the camera. 'I'm Kenyan, don't shoot' - the athlete who says he was duped into the Russian army Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla with long braids and wearing a camouflage bomber jacket over a black T-shirt is seen during a MK party media conference in Johannesburg in 2024. Behind her can be see the green and black MK party logo. Ex-president's daughter resigns over allegations she duped South Africans to fight for Russia Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, in military uniform, holding a rifle Family seeks answers as Kenyan fighting for Russia killed in Ukraine A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica A former wildlife producer said travelling to a war zone has changed his life. The ambulance departs for its 1,650-mile (2,655km) journey to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Easter Sunday. Videos have targeted Viktor Orbán's election rival, who could unseat him after 16 years in office. The state department has also authorised non-emergency embassy staff to leave on security grounds. The foreign minister says the accusations, involving children, were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. Ex-President Yahya Jammeh's 22-year rule was known for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Very few people are ever prosecuted following terror attacks with suspects often held without trial. Mourning the deaths, the president says it was a "race against the clock" to find others affected.