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Nine Zimbabwean nationals have been arrested in South Africa for allegedly attempting to travel abroad to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to police. The suspects, aged between 20 and 26, were detained on Sunday evening in Johannesburg while they were “preparing to board flights out of the country”. Five were arrested at OR Tambo international airport and another four at a hotel in Bruma, east of Johannesburg, during an operation involving Interpol. They have been charged under South Africa’s regulation of foreign military assistance act, which prohibits mercenary activity without government authorisation. Authorities have not disclosed whether the group intended to fight for Russia or Ukraine, or identified the organisations allegedly arranging their travel. The arrests come amid growing concerns about the recruitment of African nationals into the conflict. A Ukrainian intelligence assessment earlier this year estimated that more than 1,700 people from 36 African countries had been recruited to fight for Russia. Zimbabwe said in March that 15 of its citizens had been killed after being recruited to fight for Russia, while more than 60 others remained trapped on the front lines. South Africa also secured the return of 17 citizens who were allegedly tricked into joining the war.