Stephen is a Ghanaian based in Russia. He appeared on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show with DJ Nyaami, where he shared his painful experience just three months after arriving in Russia.
According to Stephen, he traveled to Russia in September, believing that global political changes would soon bring peace and stability. Shortly after arriving, he was recruited into the Russian military. He says he did not fully understand that he was joining the army at the time.
Stephen explained that he was trained for about one month and one week before being deployed. Instead of being assigned to already-secured areas, he was sent to a frontline location near a city that forces were trying to capture. During this deployment, Stephen lost one of his arms and is now receiving treatment in hospital.
He alleged that many Africans—Ghanaians, Kenyans, and others—are recruited in similar ways. According to him, agents tell them they are being brought to Russia for security company jobs, claiming soldiers will only train them for private security work. However, once they arrive, they are taken to military camps and sent to the frontlines.
Stephen recounted that during an operation, they were given coordinates to advance. When drones were reported to be nearby, they were instructed to hide. While trying to take cover, an explosion occurred near him, resulting in the loss of his arm. Fellow soldiers helped him reach a nearby house, where he was given basic first aid before being moved away from the battlefield.
He said he spent several days in a restricted zone with limited access to basic necessities and had his phone taken away. Eventually, with the help of fellow soldiers—including one Russian soldier who deliberately injured himself so he could accompany Stephen—they managed to reach a safer area. From there, Stephen was transferred for medical treatment and later moved to Moscow.
Stephen disclosed that he was paid $10,000, which he transferred to his bank account in Ghana. He shared that he lost his parents years ago, and while some people initially felt relieved that he survived, the reality of his condition has brought deep sadness to those close to him.
He expressed gratitude for being alive, noting that all members of his squad died, including many Africans. He said some of the deceased left behind wives and children, but there was no way to contact their families. According to Stephen, despite these losses, people are still being recruited, with many coming from Kenya and other African countries.
Stephen also revealed that before traveling to Russia, he had lived in Bahrain. He later obtained a Russian visit visa. He mentioned cases of other Ghanaians who paid large sums—some as much as GHS 100,000 or $7,000—to agents, only to be taken to Russia and forced into military service under the false promise of security jobs.
Stephen’s story serves as a strong warning to Africans seeking opportunities abroad. He urged people to be extremely careful with agents and offers that sound too good to be true, emphasizing that many lives have already been lost.
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