South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to arrange the return of South Africans fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine. The South African government had earlier received distress calls from 17 men trapped in Ukraine's Donbas region. The president's office said, "President Ramaphosa and President Putin pledged their support to the process of returning South Africans fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine." They added that teams from both sides will continue discussions to complete this process. More than 1,400 Africans from 36 countries were reportedly found among Russian forces, according to Ukraine's foreign minister. Meanwhile, Kenyan officials condemned recruiters who lured citizens to Russia with false job offers, only to send them to fight in Ukraine. An investigation spoke to four Kenyans recently returned, who said they were tricked by a Nairobi agency. About 200 Kenyans were sent to fight, with 23 repatriated so far, though this is believed to be an underestimate. Kenya's junior foreign minister Korir Sing’Oei said, "It's unacceptable for them to be participants in this conflict." The Kenyans were forced to sign contracts in Russian and sent to the front lines despite no military background. Many were promised jobs as salesmen, security guards, or athletes. "These individuals are used as cannon fodder on the war front," Sing’Oei added. The daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma is also accused of recruiting men to join Russian mercenaries in Ukraine. Last year, Pretoria warned its citizens to avoid recruitment scams after social media campaigns promised young women jobs linked to a Russia-based programme accused of abuses.