5 hours ago
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Ukrainian forces have captured a Nigerian national, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, who was reportedly fighting for the Russian military in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project, Oluwagbemileke, 29, was apprehended by the Freedom of Russia Legion, a unit composed of Russian fighters supporting Ukraine.
He was captured in the Zaporizhzhia region after serving with Russian forces for five months.
The project said Oluwagbemileke had been living in Russia for four years before his arrest on drug-related charges.
Instead of serving a prison sentence under Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code, he allegedly agreed to join Russia’s military campaign in exchange for a reduced sentence.
“Kehinde is one of thousands of mercenaries from third countries recruited by Russia’s Defense Ministry to fight in Ukraine,” the organisation stated.
It also claimed that many foreign recruits are misled about the nature of the war and are treated as expendable.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its call for foreign nationals to avoid joining the Russian military, urging those considering enlistment to instead contact the “I Want to Live” initiative.
Oluwagbemileke’s capture adds to a growing list of foreign nationals detained by Ukrainian forces while fighting for Russia.
Earlier this year, two Chinese nationals were also captured and reported similar experiences of coercion and disillusionment.
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