Nigerian Fighting for Russian Forces Captured by Ukrainian Troops

A Nigerian national, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, has been captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting for the Russian military in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Oluwagbemileke, 29, was apprehended by the Freedom of Russia Legion, a unit made up of Russian fighters who have aligned themselves with Ukraine. His capture occurred in the Zaporizhzhia region, where he had been serving with Russian troops for the past five months.

According to information from Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project, Oluwagbemileke had been living in Russia for four years prior to his arrest on drug-related charges. In exchange for a reduced prison sentence, he agreed to join the Russian military under Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code.

The organisation stated that Oluwagbemileke is among thousands of foreign nationals recruited by the Russian Defence Ministry to fight in Ukraine. “We have already documented nearly 7,000 foreign fighters from 14 countries, but this represents only a portion of the foreigners deployed by the Kremlin,” the group noted.

A recent video released by the Freedom of Russia Legion featured an interview with Oluwagbemileke, during which he confirmed his participation in the war. He disclosed that he had accepted military service as a means to shorten his prison sentence.

During the recorded interaction, he stated that his family, who reside in Nigeria, were unaware of his involvement in the conflict. He also expressed regret for his decision to join the military, describing his experience as devastating.

Oluwagbemileke revealed that he had previously worked as a translator for English-speaking foreigners in Russia, assisting individuals from South America, Africa, and China. He mentioned that among the African group he encountered in Russia were nationals from Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon.

He was captured with injuries, which are currently being treated by Ukrainian medical personnel.

The Freedom of Russia Legion and other Ukrainian forces have reported capturing additional foreign fighters serving with the Russian military, including a 24-year-old Chinese national identified as Wang Wu, who was apprehended earlier in the week.

Ukrainian authorities continue to highlight the presence of foreign recruits within Russian ranks, describing them as expendable manpower used to sustain Russia’s military campaign.