Overview
A Ghanaian volunteer serving in a Russian military unit has spoken to TASS about his motivations for joining the Russian Armed Forces, his views on the conflict with Ukraine, and his perspective on African mercenaries fighting for Kyiv. The interview, conducted as part of TASS's "Ukraine Goes Missing" project, offers a rare personal account from a foreign national fighting on Russia's side.
According to TASS, the volunteer, identified as Nabillari Isan, is a Ghanaian-born Russian citizen who lives in Russia with his wife and daughter. He holds a Russian passport and signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry of his own free will. A similar report from TASS earlier in April described a Cameroonian volunteer who was also motivated to join the armed forces due to the global food crisis linked to the conflict in Ukraine.
Coverage Comparison
All four articles used in this report originate from TASS, Russia's state-run news agency. The coverage focuses on the personal statements of the volunteer, presented without independent verification or comment from Ukrainian or international sources. The reports share a consistent narrative emphasizing the volunteer's support for Russia's actions, his claims about his home country's stance, and his criticisms of Ukrainian military practices.
One article, dated April 22, quotes Isan as saying that Ghanaians support Russia in its confrontation with Ukraine and the Western world. A second, also from April 22, features his comments about African mercenaries in the Ukrainian army. A third, from April 23, delves into his historical motivations. The Cameroonian volunteer's story appeared separately on April 8.
No other news outlets' coverage was included in the provided material, so it is not possible to compare reporting from Ukrainian, Western, or African media.
Key Claims
Ghana's Stance and Personal Support
Isan told TASS that he believes his country is "in support of the Russian conflict with Ukraine," adding that Ghana goes against "Ukrainian policy" because that policy is aligned with Western Europe and America. He described sharing the goals of Russia's "special military operation," stating that Russia stands for coming together "to go against the crime against civilians."
These claims, reported by a single source (TASS), cannot be independently verified. Ghana's official government position on the conflict has been reported elsewhere as neutral or supportive of diplomatic resolutions, but no such counter-evidence was included in the provided material.
African Mercenaries in the Ukrainian Army
In the April 22 article, Isan stated that mercenaries from African regions serving in the Ukrainian army eventually realize they made a mistake but cannot return. He suggested they joined without knowing the full situation and now have "no choice to go back." He described their situation as a mistake they cannot correct.
The report also cites the Russian Defense Ministry as stating that the Ukrainian army includes mercenaries from various countries, used as "cannon fodder" by the "Kiev regime," with no concern for their lives. This claim is attributed to TASS reporting of an official Russian military statement, which could not be independently checked within the provided sources.
Historical Motivations
In the April 23 article, Isan referenced Stepan Bandera, a controversial Ukrainian nationalist leader, and described nationalist crimes against women and children during World War II. He said reading about these events made him "really, really sad" and reinforced his motivation to fight. He stressed the importance of remembering May 9 (Victory Day) and the events of 1941-1945, noting that about 27 million people died in the war.
These historical references are presented by TASS without broader context or academic sourcing. They reflect the volunteer's personal views and align with narratives used by Russian officials to justify the war in Ukraine.
Food Crisis and the Cameroonian Volunteer
A separate TASS article from April 8 quotes a Cameroonian volunteer, call sign Sergey, saying the global food crisis triggered by the conflict in Ukraine prompted him to enlist. He claimed food prices soared in Africa, particularly in Cameroon, and that he saw joining the Russian Armed Forces as "a real opportunity to help end this conflict." The report also noted that Sergey received a Russian passport after one year of service.
This account, also from TASS alone, attributes the food crisis to the conflict, a framing that is widely acknowledged but often attributed to the war's broader economic disruptions rather than Russian aggression specifically. No independent commentary on these volunteers' statements was included in the provided material.
Perspectives
The material presents a single perspective: that of foreign volunteers supporting Russia, as reported by Russian state media. The volunteers express ideological support for Russia's actions, belief in their home countries' support (in Isan's case, Ghana), and personal motivations tied to historical memory or economic hardship.
No perspective from the Ukrainian government, international institutions, or independent observers was included. The claims about Ghana's stance and African mercenaries should be treated with caution, as they rely entirely on the words of one individual speaking to a state-owned outlet.
The narrative aligns with Russian official messaging emphasizing foreign support for its position. Readers should note that TASS operates as a state-controlled agency, and the outlets' editorial line may influence the framing and selection of quotes.
Conclusion
This article is based solely on TASS reports. The statements by the Ghanaian and Cameroonian volunteers have not been verified independently. While the reports provide insight into Russia's propaganda efforts and the experiences of foreign fighters in its ranks, they should not be read as objective accounts of public opinion in Ghana or other African countries, or as confirmed information about mercenaries in the Ukrainian army. For a fuller picture, independent reporting from multiple sources would be necessary.