Kwabena Ballo: Ghanaian Who Survived the Russian Army and Shares His Experience
Kwabena Ballo , a Ghanaian who joined the Russian army and survived the war, shared his story in an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show.
During the interview, someone asked about his salary. Kwabena replied in the comments section that his pay could take care of a family for three months. He explained this is true because soldiers are paid in cash, unlike the American army where salaries are paid via credit.
Before joining the Russian army, Kwabena went through training in Ghana, sometimes helping mates find customers in exchange for free services. He described joining the Russian army as “cool” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
Kwabena also mentioned that he cannot stop people from pursuing their dreams. Music is his main passion, while the army serves as a side job. He joined the Russian army with the goal of obtaining a Russian passport. He offered to assist anyone interested in joining, claiming he can help with official documents without charging the high fees that some agents demand.
He has helped many people, mostly from African countries. However, he clarified that his role in the army is in defense, not in active combat. Some of his videos have been misused online, causing misinformation—like a trending clip claiming Tunisian soldiers gave a phone to someone to storm a palace, which he said is impossible.
Kwabena shared that administrative processes can take time. For instance, when he completed his papers in October, there was a delay due to mistakes on his documents. Despite this, he was still paid during the waiting period, though payment was done in a single installment once his papers were finalized.
He contrasted his experience in Russia with Western countries, saying that the UK and US do not respect people in the same way. In Russia, he said, Christians can freely practice their faith. He noted the irony that while Russian soldiers learn English, when applying to schools in the US, UK, or Canada, applicants are still required to prove English proficiency.
Kwabena concluded by stating he prefers Russia over countries that do not treat its soldiers with respect.














