From Arma 3 to the frontlines: how South African gamers were lured into Russia’s war in Ukraine

Two South African men in their 20s were recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine after connecting with a user on the gaming app Discord, according to Bloomberg. One of them died in combat in Luhansk oblast just weeks after signing a military contract near St. Petersburg.

Russian military recruited South African gamers through Discord

Bloomberg reported that Russia targeted South African video gamers as part of a covert recruitment campaign for its war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on 7 January. Two men, who frequently played the military simulation game Arma 3, began speaking with a user identifying themselves as @Dash on Discord. After engaging in conversations about military service, they traveled to Cape Town to meet in person, then visited the Russian consulate. From there, they flew to Russia via the United Arab Emirates on 29 July 2024.

Shortly after arriving in Russia, the pair met @Dash again and signed one-year contracts to serve in the Russian military. By early September, they were enlisted. Within weeks, one of the mercenaries was killed while fighting in Ukraine. A medical certificate confirmed that he died in active service on 23 October 2024 in Luhansk Oblast.

A person familiar with the situation provided details, supported by email exchanges between a friend of the men and South African diplomats seeking information on their whereabouts. The two had reportedly been using Discord regularly during their Arma 3 sessions. Meanwhile, inside Russia access to Discord has been restricted since October 2024.

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Legal scandal in South Africa over Russian recruitment

The recruitment of South African citizens into the Russian military has triggered political and legal controversy in South Africa.On 20 November that a daughter of former President Jacob Zuma had been involved in a scheme to recruit men from South Africa and Botswana for Russian military service. The recruits were allegedly told they were signing up for bodyguard training.

Later in November, a South African state radio presenter and four men were arrested over similar allegations. They have been charged with violating South African law, which prohibits citizens from serving or assisting in a foreign military without authorization since 1998. The group was released on bail and is due to appear in court on 10 February. None have commented publicly.