South Africa says 17 of its citizens who joined mercenary groups in the Russia-Ukraine war have appealed for help from the Donbas region, where fighting continues.

Nov. 6 (UPI) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered an investigation Thursday into how at least 17 South African citizens ended up fighting as mercenaries in the Donbas region of Ukraine, most of which is occupied or annexed by Russia.

South Africa's government has said it received "distress" calls from 17 men who are trapped in the Donbas region after joining mercenary groups fighting in Russia's war in Ukraine. DW has more.

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's government said on Thursday it will investigate how 17 of its citizens joined mercenary forces in the Russia-Ukraine conflict after the men sent distress calls for help to return home. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The South African government says it will investigate how 17 of its citizens were tricked into fighting as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine war after they asked for help to escape the conflict in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.