The government is likely to lay criminal charges against Batswana recruited to fight alongside Russian forces in the Russia-Ukraine war. The foreign military recruits are expected to face criminal charges back home under Botswana’s Foreign Enlistment Act.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Phenyo Butale informed members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi that three citizens have been injured and another captured by Ukrainian forces.
This follows a string of questions from Kgosi Khama IV of Gammangwato. In response, Butale revealed that Batswana who enlist in foreign militaries risk prosecution under Botswana law in addition to the dangers associated with participating in a foreign conflict.
Khama had asked whether, beyond warning citizens about the dangers of joining the war, government was making them aware that enlisting in a foreign military could also expose them to criminal charges in their own country.
Khama had asked whether, beyond warning citizens about the dangers of joining the war, government was making them aware that enlisting in a foreign military could also expose them to criminal charges in their own country.
In response, Butale said Botswana had legislation governing foreign enlistment and that citizens who joined foreign military forces could be charged under the law.
Government’s latest update reveals that three Batswana have been injured in the conflict, while one is being held as a prisoner of war in Ukraine.
“The Ministry is not aware of any citizens who have perished in the Russian/Ukraine conflict. However, we have received three reports of Batswana who have been injured and one who has been captured and is a prisoner of war in Ukraine,” Butale told Ntlo ya Dikgosi.
He said the three injured citizens were in Russia and that government had requested their repatriation to Botswana. Regarding the captured citizen, Butale said government had also approached Ukrainian authorities to secure his release. The latest disclosure adds to growing concerns over the fate of Batswana who travelled abroad under circumstances ranging from alleged deceptive recruitment to knowingly entering into military contracts.
According to Butale, government was aware of 27 Batswana who, as of June 2025, were missing after reportedly travelling abroad and were believed to have gone to fight on the Russian side of the war.
He said some had allegedly been promised lucrative job opportunities abroad while others appeared to have travelled knowing they would become involved in military activities. Russia and neighbouring countries, including Poland, were mentioned in connection with the reported recruitment opportunities.
Of the 27 men who travelled towards the Russian Federation, eight were intercepted before reaching their destination and returned to Botswana, according to the minister.
Of the 27 men who travelled towards the Russian Federation, eight were intercepted before reaching their destination and returned to Botswana, according to the minister.
Butale said the remaining 15 were still missing and believed to be in Russia. The figures provided in his update do not account for the whereabouts of the other four men.
Government has since intensified diplomatic engagement with Russia and Ukraine in an effort to establish the whereabouts and welfare of the affected citizens.
Butale said he had met his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts several times on the margins of international meetings, with those engagements followed by formal communications. He had also engaged the two countries’ ambassadors to raise Botswana’s concerns.
