Russia Vs Ukraine war: Detained Ghanaians apologise for joining the war as Foreign Affairs Minister pledges to pursue every avenue for their return home.

Russia Vs Ukraine war: It was an emotional and sobering encounter when two Ghanaian prisoners of war detained in Ukraine met a delegation from Ghana led by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

The two men, whose identities have been withheld for security and diplomatic reasons, expressed deep remorse for their involvement in the conflict. Speaking to the delegation, they pleaded with Ghanaians to forgive them for what they described as bringing dishonour to their country, their families and even to Ukraine — a nation they acknowledged has maintained friendly relations with Ghana.

“We’re sorry for what happened. Ghana has a good reputation everywhere we go, so it was bad for us to fight against a country which has been friendly to Ghana,” one of the men said. “Please forgive us and tell Ghanaians to forgive us. We have put Ghana’s name in a bad light by involving ourselves in this fight.”

Russia Vs Ukraine war: How They Ended Up on the Frontline

In recounting his experience, one of the detainees — referred to as Yaw — explained that while working in Dubai as an evacuation officer, he was approached to join the Russian army under the pretext of assisting with evacuation efforts. Months later, he said he was deployed to the battlefield to fight against Ukrainian forces.

During one mission, he revealed that a Ukrainian drone strike hit his vehicle, killing three individuals and leaving him injured with shrapnel lodged in his body. He was subsequently captured by Ukrainian forces but noted that he has been treated humanely since his detention.

The second detainee, identified as Kwaku, said he voluntarily surrendered after being issued weapons and ordered to the frontline. Upon arriving at the battlefield, he said he realised he was making a grave mistake.

“I knew I was doing the wrong thing by fighting the Ukrainians,” he explained. He abandoned his weapon, raised his hands and walked toward Ukrainian troops, where he was taken into custody.

Appreciation for Ghana’s Intervention

Both men expressed gratitude to the Government of Ghana for making diplomatic efforts on their behalf. They thanked Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and the delegation for travelling to Ukraine to visit them and advocate for their release.

They also pledged to use their experiences as a cautionary tale for other young Ghanaians who may be enticed into foreign conflicts under misleading circumstances.

Their meeting comes amid growing concern about reports that more than 1,700 Africans from 36 countries have been recruited by Russia through questionable means to fight in the ongoing war.

Diplomatic Assurances and Warnings

Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa assured the detainees that Ghana would employ every available diplomatic channel to secure their return home. He added that the country has forgiven them, which motivated the delegation’s visit to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly assured Ghana of his country’s willingness to facilitate the release of the detained nationals. However, he cautioned against the increasing involvement of young Africans in the war.

The Ukrainian government expressed concern over the rising number of foreign nationals participating in the conflict and urged African countries, including Ghana, to intensify public education and preventive measures to stop citizens from being drawn into the protracted war, which entered its fourth year on February 24, 2026.

A Cautionary Tale

The situation underscores the broader risks facing vulnerable young people who may be recruited under false pretences into conflicts far from home. With casualties, injuries and detentions mounting, officials are warning that the consequences are severe and life-altering.

For the two Ghanaian detainees, the immediate hope remains reunification with their families. For Ghana, the focus now turns to sustained diplomatic engagement to ensure their safe return — and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Source: 3news.com

Also read: Starlink Shutdown Disrupts Russian Forces: Has Elon Musk’s Decision Shifted the Balance in Ukraine’s War?