A Nigerian man, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke Adisa, has been captured by Ukrainian-aligned forces while fighting for the Russian military in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
His capture was confirmed by Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project, which helps Russian and foreign fighters surrender safely.
Kehinde, 29, had been residing in Russia for four years before his arrest on drug-related charges.
According to the report, he chose to join Russia’s war effort as a means to avoid a full prison sentence under Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code.
“Kehinde is one of thousands of mercenaries from third countries recruited by Russia’s Defense Ministry to fight in Ukraine,” the project stated.
“He fought for five months before being captured.”
The report emphasizes that many foreign fighters are lured under misleading promises and then used as disposable assets.
“They are treated as expendable manpower,” the organization said, calling on governments to take action against the recruitment of their citizens by the Russian military.
Kehinde was captured in the Zaporizhzhia region by the Freedom of Russia Legion, a battalion of Russian nationals fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
In a video released by the group, Kehinde recounted his experience and circumstances surrounding his enlistment.
