South Africa talks with Russia. They want to help seventeen South African men. These men were made to join the Russian army. Then they fought in Ukraine. The men say they were tricked. This is a big problem.
South Africa's president knows. Men from South Africa and Botswana went to Russia. They thought they would train. But they joined the army. Now they fight in Ukraine.
A former president's daughter is linked. People say she helped trick the men. She and her sister told the police. This shows they know it is wrong. We do not know all they did.
South Africa calls helping the men "sensitive." The men are in danger. Their lives are at risk. South Africa talks with Russia. They also talk with groups in Ukraine. They hope to free the men.
People in South Africa are worried. Families and friends want them home. They protested for their loved ones. They want to be with their families.
South Africa works to fix this. Russia's embassy did not say anything. The problem is still changing. South Africa tries to solve this. People watch to see if men come home.