ISTANBUL

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed on Tuesday the return of nationals who were “lured into” the Russia-Ukraine war, after his government coordinated with Russia to secure their return amid an ongoing probe into their recruitment, the public broadcaster reported.

Ramaphosa expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who “responded positively” to his request to support their return, after the Russian leader pledged assistance during a Feb. 10 phone call, according to a presidential statement, national broadcaster SABC reported.

Last Wednesday, four South African men, who were drawn into fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, returned to their country.

They were reportedly enticed to travel to Russia for jobs last July but ended up fighting alongside Russian troops in the ongoing war.

The statement said the repatriation followed distressed calls from 17 South African men aged 20-39, with 11 on their way home and two still in Russia.

It said one is hospitalized in Moscow and the other is awaiting travel arrangements.

The South African Embassy in Moscow will continue to monitor the man in hospital until he fully recovers, while the investigation into how he and others were recruited into mercenary activities is underway, the report added.