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Russians Weary of War and Repression Start to Blame the Kremlin
For years, many Russians cheered on Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in a wave of nationalist fervor. Others kept silent, fearful of the state cracking down against even mild criticism of the social and economic fallout.Now that’s starting to change.
How the Kremlin Lures Africans Into Russia's War in Ukraine - The New ...
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.‘The Death Zone’: How Russia Is Luring Africans to UkraineA growing number of men across the continent say they are being promised jobs in Russia, only to be forced into the war. Some go as mercenaries, but many more are drawn unwittingly.James Kamau Ndungu’s widow, Jane Wanjiku, and daughter Emily at his memorial service in March in Kiambu County, Kenya. He ended up fighting for the Russian Army, his body never returned.‘The Death Zone’: How Russia Is Luring Africans to UkraineA growing number of men across the continent say they are being promised jobs in Russia, only to be forced into the war. Some go as mercenaries, but many more are drawn unwittingly.James Kamau Ndungu’s widow, Jane Wanjiku, and daughter Emily at his memorial service in March in Kiambu County, Kenya. He ended up fighting for the Russian Army, his body never returned.Credit...Listen · 13:39 min By Matthew Mpoke BiggJohn Eligon and Zimasa MatiwanePhotographs by Ed RamMatthew Mpoke Bigg reported from Nairobi, Kenya, reviewed documents from men who had gone to Russia and spoke to a survivor of the war and families of people killed or missing. John Eligon and Zimasa Matiwane reported from Johannesburg, interviewed recruiting agents, reviewed contracts and spoke to a job seeker who went to Russia.Published May 4, 2026Updated May 6, 2026James Kamau Ndungu told only a few friends that he was heading to Russia. He told them he had been promised a job as a day laborer there. He was 32, unemployed in Kenya and needed the work.Last June, Mr. Kamau sent a photo to his friends from Istanbul Airport, saying he was in transit, one of the friends said. A few weeks later, he sent another photo. This time, he was wearing fatigues and holding a gun. In August, he wrote to say that he was in a trench in Ukraine. Things were bad. He asked for prayers.It was the last anyone in Kenya heard from him.A growing number of Africans are ending up on the front lines of Russia’s war with Ukraine. Some go there willingly as mercenaries, but many more are like Mr. Kamau, young men lured by the promise of ordinary civilian jobs — from bodyguards to line cooks — only to be forced into joining Russian forces in battle.A string of fly-by-night companies have been set up across the continent to recruit the men. The companies often appear as travel agencies or job placement firms and a...
Economic crisis in Russia is eroding Putin's immense popularity
On April 27, amid an unprecedented wave of — albeit mild — criticism regarding the country's situation, the Russian president repeated a gesture of closeness to ...
“For the first time since the conflict began, Russians are starting to ...
14 hours ago ... Russian people are really struggling but the weight and power of the state machinery is immense. Just like in Iran Russia will be dragging its feet in this ...
