AfDB backs ATIDI with US$125m equity boost

Russian national arrested at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in alleged war recruitment plot

A Russian national, Leonid Koftov, was apprehended at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while allegedly attempting to depart with a local man he had recruited to participate in the Ukraine-Russia war. Koftov faces charges under the Trafficking in Persons Act and Labour Act. Police received information on May 29 that Koftov, who arrived in Zimbabwe on May 28 on a 30-day holiday visa, was recruiting individuals for Russia in connivance with an accomplice named Constantine, who is believed to be in Russia. Koftov allegedly processed a Russian E-visa, air travel tickets, and hotel bookings for the recruit. On Monday, detectives intercepted Koftov and the recruit at the airport, where Koftov was found with the victim's travel documents and was subsequently arrested. The Zimbabwean government recently confirmed that 18 Zimbabweans have died fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war after being recruited through deceptive schemes promising lucrative civilian jobs, only to be forced into combat. The government is working with Russian authorities to repatriate survivors and has cautioned citizens against unregulated employment agencies.