Two cousins from Côte d’Ivoire have been granted Russian citizenship after serving with Russian forces in Ukraine.
The men received their Russian passports on 23 October 2026 during a formal ceremony in Cheboksary, the capital of the Chuvash Republic. Officials from the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs presented the documents. Both were also awarded the Order of Courage.
According to the ministry, the pair arrived in Chuvashia in the summer of 2025 to complete preparatory courses for university entry. They later signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence and were sent to the front. They served in assault units, where officials said they repeatedly risked their lives, assisted wounded comrades, and sustained injuries themselves.
After completing their contracts they applied for citizenship under a simplified procedure available to foreign nationals who have served under contract with the Russian armed forces for at least one year. The process, introduced by presidential decree, allows applications to be processed within one month.
Independent international reports and media investigations have documented a significant expansion of Russian recruitment of foreign fighters, particularly from Africa. More than 5,400 African citizens from over 40 countries have been identified in the Russian armed forces in 2026.
By A.Ikechukwu
