The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Togo has raised serious concerns over recent incidents involving Togolese nationals captured by Ukrainian forces while allegedly participating in combat operations alongside russian troops.
According to the Ministry, most of those detained are young students who had reportedly traveled to russia under the guise of scholarships offered by organizations falsely claiming to be based there. These students were later found involved in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, siding with russian forces.
Read more: FK-2000 Supply to Chad Shows How russia is Opening the Door for Chinese Arms in Africa
In response, the Togolese foreign ministry has urged its citizens, particularly youth seeking education abroad, to exercise extreme caution. It recommends verifying the legitimacy of scholarship offers and consulting with official government bodies, such as the national Ministry of Higher Education and Research, before making any commitments, especially when traveling to russia.
Togo's diplomatic services are actively working with international partners to clarify the situation and provide support to those affected. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and safety of Togolese nationals abroad.
As Defense Express previously reported, the russian Navy's presence in the Black and Azov Seas has become increasingly sporadic, while in the Mediterranean, its operations are centered on relocating assets from Syria. This was reported by the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Navy, Dmytro Pletenchuk.
According to Pletenchuk, russian warships are actively escorting transport vessels as they withdraw military equipment from bases in Syria. The relocation effort involves transferring assets from Khmeimim and Tartus to Africa, where Moscow continues to support authoritarian regimes aligned with its geopolitical interests.
Read more: Only Two out of 26 Gripen Fighters Airworthy in South African Forces: How Could This Happen
