A Ghanaian man named Henry, currently living in Russia, has shared a harrowing account of how he ended up as a soldier in the Russian army. According to his testimony, Henry originally traveled from Ghana to Finland, believing he was pursuing a warehouse job opportunity in Russia recommended by a friend. However, upon arrival, the situation was entirely different from what he had been promised.
Realizing the job was not as described, Henry attempted to return to Finland but was unsuccessful. While stranded, he was introduced to the Russian military recruitment process, which he claims is full of misinformation. Recruits are told they will be trained and paid well, but according to him, the reality is far more dangerous and deceptive.
In an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily hustle worldwide show revealed that He was taken to a camp after a three-day journey during which his passport was confiscated. Once there, he received only two weeks of basic training—just enough to learn how to handle a weapon before being sent to the battlefield. Henry describes the battlefield as a death trap, with many young African men, especially Ghanaians, being misled into joining. He notes that new recruits are often lured with promises of money and legal residency but instead find themselves trapped in a warzone.
According to Henry, soldiers from African countries, particularly those who speak Russian, sometimes betray their fellow countrymen by exposing them to authorities. He witnessed many dead bodies and lost a close friend in combat. He himself was seriously injured and lost one of his arms in an explosion. He spent two months in a hospital in a region called Oblast, which he refers to as “the sky back.”
He recounts that when soldiers get injured, they sometimes lie about their recovery to stay longer in the hospital and avoid being redeployed. Henry said he took back his passport when he was hospitalized, as recruits are not allowed to keep it during their service.
Henry also revealed that while some people manage to complete the one-year contract without injuries, many return home severely wounded or mentally scarred. He is married with one child and says his family in Ghana was heartbroken when they learned the truth about his situation. He regrets the decision deeply, despite having had no intention of harming anyone during his time in the army.
He warns fellow Ghanaians not to fall for similar promises. “Don’t trust anyone who encourages you to join the Russian army,” he says. “You might get the money, but lose your life or your strength.” His message is clear: take time to plan your future, don’t make hasty decisions based on false promises, and avoid being lured into conflict zones.
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