Nigerian Man K!lled In Battlefield While F!ghting For Russian Army In Ukraine!

Nigerian Man K!lled In Battlefield While F!ghting For Russian Army In Ukraine!

Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi | Sele Media Africa Journalist

In a tragic development, a Nigerian national has been confirmed killed while fighting for the Russian Army in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to multiple media reports, the deceased whose identity has not yet been officially disclosed reportedly left his family in Northern Nigeria after enlisting with the Russian military. He was said to have been killed on the battlefield while deployed in eastern Ukraine.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama described the incident as deeply tragic in a social media post, noting that the Nigerian had travelled abroad before joining Russian forces to fight against Ukraine. Images circulating online reportedly show the deceased alongside his children.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict, now in its fourth year following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, continues to record heavy casualties on both sides. Russian forces have increasingly relied on foreign recruits and mercenaries to address manpower shortages, with African nationals reportedly among those enlisted either voluntarily or through recruitment networks promising better opportunities abroad.
Earlier investigations have revealed that African citizens including Nigerians and Kenyans were allegedly lured with offers of well-paid civilian jobs in Russia, such as security, driving, or manual labour, only to find themselves deployed into active military service on the frontlines in Ukraine.
This latest case adds to a growing list of foreign nationals killed or wounded while fighting for Russian forces, raising serious concerns about recruitment tactics and the expanding human cost of the war far beyond Europe.

CITATION:
1.AllAfrica
https://allafrica.com/stories/202602030279.html

2.Trust Radio
https://trustradio.com.ng/en/nigerian-man-killed-fighting-for-russia-in-ukraine

3.The Star
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/world/2026-02-04-cnn-investigations-uncover-russian-clandestine-recruitment-of-africans-to-fight-in-ukraine

About The Author

Mustapha Labake Omowumi

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Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

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