Nigerian man arrested fighting for Russia against Ukraine

A Nigerian man captured fighting for Russia in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war has been identified as 29-year-old Kehinde Oluwagbemileke,

He was apprehended in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region by the Freedom of Russia Legion, a military unit made up of Russian defectors fighting on the side of Ukraine.

According to Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project, Oluwagbemileke had been living in Russia for four years before he was arrested on drug-related charges. Rather than serve a full prison sentence under Article 228 of Russia’s Criminal Code, he reportedly agreed to join Russia’s military campaign in exchange for early release.

The Nigerian man captured fighting for Russia had only served five months before being taken prisoner. Ukrainian authorities revealed that Kehinde is one of thousands of foreign mercenaries allegedly recruited by Russia’s Ministry of Defence to boost troop numbers in the face of mounting battlefield losses.

“Kehinde is one of thousands of mercenaries from third countries recruited by Russia’s Defence Ministry to fight in Ukraine. We’ve already published data on nearly 7,000 foreign fighters from 14 countries, but that’s only a small part of the foreigners the Kremlin has sent to die in Ukraine,” the organization said.

In a video shared by the Freedom of Russia Legion and transcribed by The Guardian using AI tools, Kehinde admits to joining the war for a “quick liberation” from prison. Speaking during an on-camera interrogation, he confirmed that he had no prior military experience and that his family back in Nigeria was unaware of his involvement in the war.

The Nigerian man captured fighting for Russia appeared regretful as he recounted the losses in his unit. According to him, out of four African fighters he served with, one was killed and the rest, including himself, were wounded.

Oluwagbemileke, who previously worked as a translator for non-Russian-speaking foreigners in Russia, said his unit included other Africans as well as South Americans and Chinese nationals. His story adds to growing evidence that Russia is targeting vulnerable foreigners with promises of freedom or financial incentives.

Just a week earlier, Ukrainian forces also captured a 24-year-old Chinese national who was fighting for Russia. Both cases underscore the increasing presence of non-Russian fighters on the frontlines.

As the Nigerian man captured fighting for Russia receives medical care under Ukrainian custody, international observers continue to raise concerns over Russia’s recruitment tactics and the ethical implications of using imprisoned or desperate individuals in active warfare.