Russian Military Uses African Mercenaries as Kamikazes to Break Through Ukrainian Fortifications

The Russian military “armed” an African mercenary with an anti-tank mine and sent him to storm Ukrainian positions at gunpoint. He was supposed to serve as a “can opener” – blow himself up to “open” a Ukrainian bunker.

The video of the “kamikaze” training was published by the Exilenova+ Telegram channel.

The video shows a mercenary from Africa with a TM-62 anti-tank mine attached to his vest. The Russian soldier calls him a “can opener” and notes that he will now be sent to “run across the forest.”

Despite the mercenary’s protests, the Russian soldier, threatening him with an assault rifle, kicks him out of the basement.

According to Julian Röpke, a German journalist and editor for security policy and conflicts at BILD, the Russian army is now using African mercenaries as “can openers.” Their task is to run into an enemy position with a TM-62 mine tied to their body and blow themselves up to “open” the bunker.

In early November 2025 , Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that at least 1,436 citizens from 36 countries, who had been identified, were fighting in the Russian army in Ukraine; the actual number may be higher.

“According to available information, at least 1436 citizens from 36 African countries are now fighting in the ranks of the Russian army of invasion in Ukraine,” he said.

According to Sibiga, Russia recruits foreigners in a variety of ways, from financial promises to deception or pressure. Most foreign mercenaries, he said, do not live more than a month after arriving at the front.