The South African government confirmed that 17 South African citizens were lured to the Donbas conflict zone under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities. The young men, aged 20 to 39, have appealed to authorities for urgent evacuation.

"President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men to engage in what appears to be mercenary activities," — Pretoria's official statement reads.

According to investigators, recruiters offered high-paying security contracts while concealing their actual assignments. The South Africans found themselves in Donbas without military training and are now demanding their immediate return. The South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating their evacuation through neutral channels.