Russia is forcing thousands of African migrants and students to join in their war efforts against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing assessments from European officials.
According to Bloomberg’s report, Russian officials have threatened not to renew the visas of African migrant workers and students if they didn’t join the Russian Armed Forces.
Some African workers have even been threatened with deportation if they do not agree to fight in Ukraine, one European official told Bloomberg. Others have resorted to bribing Russian officials to stay out of the conflict, per the outlet.
A spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry did not respond to Bloomberg’s request for comment.
This wouldn’t be the first time the country has turned to unorthodox and controversial recruitment measures to replenish its troops.