The government of Cameroon has confirmed the deaths of 16 of its citizens who were involved alongside Russian forces in the war in Ukraine.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of External Relations said it received the information through a diplomatic note from the Russian embassy in Yaoundé dated March 5, 2026. The document indicated that the deaths occurred in the zone of what Russia refers to as its “special military operation,” a term used by Russia to describe its ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

The names of the 16 deceased were broadcast on national radio, with authorities urging their families to contact the government.

This marks the first official confirmation by Cameroon of its citizens fighting and dying alongside Russian forces in the conflict.

The announcement follows growing concerns about the involvement of African nationals in the war. A February investigation by the All Eyes on Wagner group reported that hundreds of African fighters recruited into the Russian military between 2023 and mid-2025 had been killed. According to the findings, Cameroon recorded the highest number of fatalities among African contingents, with 94 deaths out of 335 fighters.

In November 2025, Ukrainian officials stated that Russia had recruited more than 1,400 African nationals to support its military operations. In recent months, several African countries, including Kenya and South Africa, have raised alarms over cases of citizens allegedly being misled or coerced into joining Russian forces.