17 South Africans who were forced to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war have been released.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that President Vladimir Putin was the one who ordered the release of the young men who were allegedly tricked into joining the war.

The South Africans have pleaded with the South African government to rescue them, saying they were forced to fight in Russia after being lured by a company that promised to train them for security.

Putin thanked Ramaphosa for freeing the young men.

Four of the South Africans have returned home, President Ramaphosa’s office said. The remaining 11 will return “soon,” it said.

An investigation has been launched into how the South Africans were recruited.

South African law prohibits the use of mercenaries for another country without the government’s permission.

The South Africans' families told the BBC that the contract they signed after arriving in Russia was written in Russian.