I Don’t Know If I’ll Survive Another Day – Ghanaian Man ‘Forced’ Into Russia’s War In Ukraine Says
A Ghanaian man who found himself thrust into the horrors of Russia's war in Ukraine has shared his harrowing experience, shedding light on the plight of African immigrants caught in the conflict. Speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal, he narrated the relentless challenges he faces daily as a conscripted soldier in a war he never chose to fight.
“I don’t know if I’ll survive another day,” he said during a rare phone interview. “Every moment here is a gamble with death. I wake up not knowing if I’ll see the next sunrise.”
The young man, who traveled to Russia years ago in search of greener pastures, found himself in the crosshairs of the ongoing conflict after being detained for overstaying his visa. He explained that he was given an ultimatum by Russian authorities: join the fight or face imprisonment under harsh conditions.
“I had no choice”
According to him, he was coerced into signing up as part of a makeshift battalion comprising foreign nationals. Many of his fellow recruits are also Africans who had migrated to Russia for education or work.
“They told us it was either the battlefield or the prison. What could I do? I chose the battlefield, hoping it would give me a chance to survive and perhaps find a way out.”
His account highlights the increasingly desperate measures Russia has employed to replenish its forces amidst heavy losses on the frontlines. Reports of foreign nationals, particularly Africans, being forced or lured into the war effort have surfaced, sparking outrage among human rights groups.
Life on the Frontlines
The Ghanaian man described the brutal conditions at the frontlines. With little training and inadequate equipment, he and his fellow conscripts face an uphill battle against a determined Ukrainian military bolstered by international support.
“We are given old weapons, sometimes not even enough ammunition. It’s like we’re just sent out there to die,” he said, his voice heavy with despair.
He spoke of constant shelling, freezing temperatures, and the mental toll of watching comrades fall around him. Despite the dire circumstances, he remains determined to hold onto hope.
“I pray every day”
“I pray every day for an end to this war. I want to go home to Ghana, to see my family again. But here, hope is all I have.”
His plea for help resonates with many back home, where advocacy groups have called on the Ghanaian government to intervene. However, the situation remains complex, with diplomatic channels between Ghana and Russia strained.
Calls for Action
Human rights organizations have urged global leaders to address the exploitation of vulnerable migrants in conflict zones. “Forcing migrants to fight in wars they have no stake in is a blatant violation of their rights,” said a representative of Amnesty International.
As the war rages on, the Ghanaian man’s story serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of geopolitical conflicts. For him and many others, survival is a daily struggle, and the hope of returning home remains a distant dream.
“All I want is peace,” he said. “And to live to see the day when I can walk free again in my own country.”
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