Cameroon ‘military contractors’ killed in Russia-Ukraine war – BBC confirms leaked message

The BBC has confirmed that 16 Cameroonians were killed while serving as Russia’s proxies in Ukraine, following validation from a foreign ministry source that a leaked diplomatic note shared online was genuine. This marks the first official acknowledgment of Cameroonian involvement in the conflict, despite the government’s earlier reluctance to comment. The note, directed from the Cameroon foreign ministry to the Russian embassy, refers to the deceased as “military contractors.”

Earlier reports by All Eyes on Wagner, a global mercenary watchdog, suggested a higher toll, citing 94 Cameroonians who perished between 2023 and 2025. The leaked message, dated 5 March, details the casualties but does not specify their names. Efforts to reach the Russian embassy for clarification were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence claims over 1,700 individuals from 36 African countries have joined Russia’s war effort.

Cameroon’s muted response

Though the BBC has shared the information, Cameroon’s government has yet to issue an official statement about the deaths. On Monday, the foreign ministry provided a list of 16 names to the CRTV broadcaster, requesting relatives to contact them for an urgent matter without additional context. The revelation comes as Reuters reported an internal memo from March 2025, in which the defense minister expressed worries about soldiers departing for Ukraine and urged officers to track their movements.

“The defence minister is concerned about soldiers leaving the country to fight in Ukraine and has asked for closer monitoring of military units,” the Reuters document stated.

Other African nations have also raised concerns over their citizens’ participation in the war. Ghana, for instance, has highlighted at least 55 deaths among its nationals. Kenya’s foreign minister revealed earlier this year that over 600 recruitment agencies were shut down, with 17 South Africans recently repatriated from the Donbas region. Zimbabwe reported 15 deaths and over 60 individuals still stranded on the front lines, while Kenya’s officials noted six missing and 47 returning home.

Cameroon’s quiet stance contrasts with the growing awareness of its nationals’ roles in the conflict. The nation’s position highlights the broader challenge of African participation in the war, as countries grapple with the impact of recruitment efforts. For more updates on African news, visit BBCAfrica.com. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, Facebook at BBC Africa, or Instagram at bbcafrica.