Charles Njoki, Patrick Kwoba and Francis Ndarua who all signed up to fight for Russia.
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The African men lured to fight for Russia in Ukraine

Hundreds of African men have been enticed to fight for Russia in Ukraine with the promise of civilian jobs and high salaries but they tell CNN they are being deceived or sent to frontlines with little combat training. CNN's Larry Madowo reports.

4:35 • Source: CNN
World News 14 videos
Charles Njoki, Patrick Kwoba and Francis Ndarua who all signed up to fight for Russia.
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The African men lured to fight for Russia in Ukraine
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See rescue moments of first villager trapped in Laos cave
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This video grab provided by Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin, shows rescuers evacuating the first of five villagers, center, who had been trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin via AP)
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CNN’s Will Ripley reports exclusively from Laos amid harrowing cave rescue
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Watch: First survivor is safely out of flooded cave in Laos, rescue diver says
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Exclusive: CNN speaks to wife of man trapped in Laos cave
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'The deal itself underscores how stupid this war was': Rep. Adam Smith reacts to the tentative deal to open Strait of Hormuz
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Iran is quickly unearthing its huge missile arsenal, CNN analysis shows
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Moment villagers were found after being trapped in a cave over a week
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<p>Dong Guangping, a former police officer who has tried to flee Chinese authorities three times before, arrived in South Korea in an inflatable boat after being picked up by South Korean Coast Guard on Monday, his lawyer and a fellow activist told CNN. CNN’s Ivan Watson spoke with Dong’s family friend and a fellow dissident-in-exile who described Dong’s dangerous journey at sea.</p>
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Chinese dissident arrives in South Korea after a daring, 30-hour escape
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters onboard his plane at Jaipur International Airport in Jaipur on May 26, 2026. (Photo by Julia Demaree Nikhinson / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
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US carries out what it 'self-defense strikes' around the Strait of Hormuz
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Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd as he arrives in the popemobile during the weekly general audience at St Peter's Square in the Vatican on May 20, 2026. (Photo by TIZIANA FABI / AFP via Getty Images)
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‘Massive’ Russian missile barrage hits Kyiv in retaliation for deadly Ukrainian attack
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