A Nigerian national, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, has been captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting for the Russian military in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project, Oluwagbemileke, 29, was arrested by the Freedom of Russia Legion a group of Russian fighters who have joined Ukraine’s side — in the Zaporizhzhia region after spending five months on the battlefield.
The group revealed that Kehinde had been living in Russia for four years before being arrested on drug-related charges. To avoid serving a prison term under Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code, he reportedly accepted an offer to fight for Russia in exchange for a reduced sentence.
“He is one of thousands of foreign mercenaries Russia has recruited to fight in Ukraine,” the project stated. “These fighters are used as cheap manpower with little regard for their lives.”
The report also noted that Ukraine has documented nearly 7,000 foreign fighters from 14 countries who have joined the Russian side, but said this number is likely much higher.
Just last week, Ukrainian troops also captured another foreign fighter — a 24-year-old Chinese citizen, Wang Wu — serving in the Russian army.
The capture of foreign fighters continues to raise global concerns over Russia’s recruitment tactics in its prolonged conflict with Ukraine.
