Russia’s Recruitment of Nigerians for War in Ukraine Continues to Rise Despite Official Protests

A Nigerian national fighting in the ranks of the Russian military was killed during combat operations in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) on May 28.

The individual was identified as Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, born on April 28, 1992, from Ilutitun in Nigeria’s Ondo State.

According to HUR, Victor signed a contract with the Russian military in late February 2026 and was later deployed to the front line after undergoing brief military training. Ukrainian intelligence said he was killed near the settlement of Hrafske in the Kharkiv region while fighting against Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

The reported case comes weeks after Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly raised concerns about the recruitment of Nigerian citizens for participation in foreign armed conflicts.

On February 15, the ministry expressed concern over reports that Nigerians were being drawn into Russia’s war against Ukraine. The statement followed HUR’s February 12 disclosure regarding two Nigerian citizens who had allegedly joined Russian forces.

Russian Ambassador to Nigeria Andrey Podyolyshev denied Moscow’s involvement in the recruitment of Nigerian nationals. However, Ukrainian intelligence pointed to statements made by Russian military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk, who described recruitment practices targeting foreign nationals.

Speaking on a platform associated with Russian state propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, Zvinchuk said individuals from African countries are often attracted to Russia through job advertisements circulated on social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.

According to HUR, recruits are offered visas and travel arrangements with promises of employment. Upon arrival in Russia, their documents are allegedly confiscated under the pretext of processing paperwork.

Ukrainian intelligence claims many later discover that the promised jobs do not exist and are instead pressured into signing military contracts with the Russian armed forces.

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HUR estimates that at least 215 Nigerian citizens have signed contracts with Russia’s Ministry of Defense since the start of the recruitment campaign. According to the agency, at least 25 of them have been killed or remain missing.

Ukrainian intelligence says the number of Nigerian nationals serving in Russian units continues to grow despite objections raised by Nigerian authorities.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that it had identified more than 28,000 foreign nationals from Asia, Africa, and Latin America who signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces.

According to the agency, at least 5,149 of them have been killed, while hundreds of foreign fighters from over 48 countries are currently held in Ukrainian captivity.

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