South Africa arrests ten suspects over Ukraine war bid
South African authorities have arrested ten people, including nine Zimbabwean nationals, suspected of trying to travel to the Russia-Ukraine war. Five have appeared in court, and four more were expected in court on Thursday.
IllustrationThe story so far
On 9 November 2026, South African police arrested nine foreign nationals, aged 20 to 26, at OR Tambo Airport and a nearby hotel in Johannesburg. The suspects were allegedly trying to leave South Africa to fight in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Police charged them with violating the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
On Thursday, authorities arrested a 10th person on suspicion of violating mercenary laws by trying to travel to Russia to fight in the Ukraine war. The first nine suspects were identified as Zimbabwean nationals. Five appeared in court on Tuesday, and four others were expected in court on Thursday after being arrested at a Johannesburg hotel.
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2 updates · newest first- 12 NovNew development
10th suspect arrested in South Africa over Ukraine war bid
South African authorities arrested a 10th person on Thursday on suspicion of violating mercenary laws by trying to travel to Russia to fight in the Ukraine war. Nine others were arrested this week in a joint Interpol and police investigation, and the first nine suspects have been identified as Zimbabwean nationals. Five appeared in court on Tuesday, while four others were expected in court Thursday after being arrested at a Johannesburg hotel.
ABC News ↗
- 9 NovNew development
South Africa arrests nine foreigners suspected of heading to Ukraine war
South African police arrested nine foreign nationals, aged between 20 and 26, who were allegedly trying to leave the country to fight in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The suspects were detained at OR Tambo Airport and a nearby hotel in Johannesburg, charged with violating South Africa's Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. The arrests highlight growing concerns about Africans being recruited, sometimes through false promises of civilian jobs, to fight for Russia.
BBC News ↗
Al Jazeera ↗