Oryol Oblast: News

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Russia's military recruitment drive in Africa — Time to reassess relationship

In February 2026, a group of women stood outside Kenya's parliament in Nairobi holding photographs of their sons and brothers. One, Winnie Rose Wambui, was looking for her brother, Samuel Maina, who had left for Russia believing he had a job as a mall security guard; the last she heard was a distress voice note recorded from a forest. Winnie's story is part of a bigger effort of illegal military recruitment conducted by Russia. At least 3,000 Africans from 37 countries have been recorded figh

About Oryol Oblast

Oryol Oblast is a federal subject of Russia, approximately 360 kilometers (224 miles) south of Moscow. Oryol Oblast covers 24,700 square kilometers (9,500 square miles) and has a population of around 730,000. Its administrative center is Oryol city. Ukrainian forces have conducted drone strikes on fuel depots and military facilities in Oryol Oblast since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

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