Ukrainian forces have captured a 29-year-old Nigerian man, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, who was reportedly fighting on behalf of the Russian military in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Kehinde was apprehended by the Freedom of Russia Legion — a unit made up of Russian fighters aligned with Ukraine — in the Zaporizhzhia region. Reports indicate that Kehinde had been residing in Russia for four years before he was arrested on drug-related charges. He allegedly agreed to join Russia’s military campaign in exchange for a reduced sentence.
This development highlights the increasing number of foreign nationals involved in the conflict. According to reports, over 200 Africans have joined Ukrainian forces, while thousands are believed to be fighting for Russia.
Nigeria reportedly leads the list of African countries with mercenaries active in Ukraine, followed closely by Algeria and South Africa.
