The South African government has received distress calls for assistance to return home from 17 citizens who are trapped in the war-torn Donbas in Ukraine.

A statement from the Presidency says the men aged between 20 and 39 years were lured to join mercenary forces involved in the Ukraine-Russia war under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts.

It further states that 16 of the men are from KwaZulu-Natal and one is from the Eastern Cape.

Under the Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998, it is illegal for SA citizens and entities to offer or provide military assistance to foreign governments or participate in the armies of foreign governments unless authorised by the government.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men into these seemingly mercenary activities.

He says government is working through diplomatic channels to secure the return of these young men following their calls for assistance to return home.

Ramaphosa also condemned the exploitation of young, vulnerable people by individuals working with foreign military entities.