Sixteen Cameroonians have been killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, according to a leaked diplomatic note verified by the BBC. The foreign ministry source confirmed the authenticity of correspondence describing the deceased as "military contractors." Ukrainian intelligence estimates over 1,700 individuals from 36 African nations have been recruited to fight for Russia.
The Cameroonian government has remained silent on its nationals' involvement until now. A separate report from All Eyes on Wagner claims 94 Cameroonians died in the conflict between 2023 and 2025. The foreign ministry recently released names of 16 Cameroonians resident in Russia through state broadcaster CRTV, asking relatives to contact authorities about an urgent matter.