WATCH: Video of 'disposable' African soldiers singing on Russia-Ukraine frontline goes viral

A viral video showing African men singing in snowy conditions in Russia has reignited scrutiny over allegations that South Africans were recruited and sent to fight in the Ukraine war.

The footage, which has racked up more than 7.7 million views on Twitter, shows men described as mercenaries standing and sitting in the cold, clapping and singing in a language other than Russian.

It is unclear which country the men are from.

In the background, a Russian general behind the camera is heard saying: “Look how many disposable ones there are here, and they also sing, they are joyful. Never mind, now they will depart to ‘Zavil’ (some parts of the front), and they’ll start singing differently.”

The video comes amid allegations involving Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, who has been accused of recruiting South African men to Russia, where they were reportedly deployed to the Ukraine conflict, claims she has consistently denied.

Authorities allege that 17 men, mostly aged between 20 and 39, including 16 from KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Eastern Cape, were sent to Russia in July 2025 after being lured with promises of legitimate security work.

The allegations surfaced after one of Zuma-Sambudla’s sisters, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, submitted an affidavit requesting a formal investigation.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also laid criminal charges against her, accusing her of human trafficking and violating South Africa’s anti-mercenary laws.

The DA said it had obtained around 100 WhatsApp messages allegedly administered by Zuma-Sambudla, showing “clear coordination in luring at least 22 men to Russia under the guise of ‘personal development’, ‘security training’ and even promises of Russian or Canadian citizenship.”

Families corroborated these claims, saying the young men were misled, had their passports confiscated, and were cut off from communication with relatives. The DA described this as “clear indicators of trafficking and coercion.”

IOL previously reported that Zuma-Sambudla resigned as an MK Party Member of Parliament. The party said her resignation was voluntary and not an admission of guilt.

MK Party head of the presidency Magesela Mzobe said she stepped down to focus on helping families bring the men safely home.

“Comrade Dudu was never forced to resign. She volunteered because she wanted to focus on helping families return their loved ones,” he said.

MK Party chairperson Nathi Nhleko added that she had cooperated fully with authorities and was not involved in sending the men to Russia.

In a related case, SAfm presenter Nonkululeko Mantula and co-accused Xolani Ntuli, Sifiso Mabena, Siphamandla Tshabalala, and Thulani Mazibuko appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in December, facing charges of recruiting South Africans to fight in Ukraine.

All were granted bail, with Mantula receiving R30,300, Ntuli R15,000, and the other three R5,000 each.

The SAPS confirmed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), known as the Hawks, is probing a case against Zuma-Sambudla.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

IOL News