A Nigerian national fighting for Russia in Ukraine has been captured by the Freedom of Russia Legion, a group allied with Ukrainian forces.
The man, identified as 29-year-old Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, was detained in Zaporizhzhia, according to Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project.
The organization, which helps Russian and foreign fighters surrender, said Kehinde had lived in Russia for four years and was arrested for drug-related offenses. He reportedly chose to fight in the war instead of serving time under Article 228 of Russia’s criminal code.
“Kehinde is one of thousands of mercenaries from third countries recruited by Russia’s Defense Ministry,” the group stated. “He fought for five months before being captured.”
They claimed many foreign recruits are deceived and used as expendable manpower. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also warned foreign nationals not to join Russian forces, urging them to contact the “I Want to Live” project instead.
Earlier, two Chinese nationals shared similar experiences after being captured.
[Transcript Begins]
Interviewer: Our stormtroopers returned with an unusual trophy—Kehinde Oluwagbemileke. Putin’s commanders, short on cannon fodder, are luring foreigners to “defend the Motherland.”
Interrogator: What is your passport?
Kehinde: Russian.
Interrogator: What did you do before joining the SVO?
Kehinde: I went for quick liberation.
Interrogator: Were you in prison?
Kehinde: Yes.
Interrogator: And then they freed you?
Kehinde: Yes.
Interrogator: How long were you in the army?
Kehinde: Five months.
Interrogator: Where’s your family?
Kehinde: In Nigeria.
Interrogator: Do they know you went to war?
Kehinde: No.
Interrogator: Do you regret it?
Kehinde: Of course. It’s… broken. [points to wounds]
Interrogator: How many from your unit died?
Kehinde: We were four. One 200, the rest 300.
Interrogator: Lucky to be alive.
Kehinde: Lucky I’m alive.
Interrogator: What did you do before?
Kehinde: Translator—English to Russian.
Interrogator: For whom?
Kehinde: South Americans, Africans, Chinese.
Interrogator: How many Chinese?
Kehinde: Five or six.
Interrogator: And Africans?
Kehinde: With me, five—Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon.
Interrogator: Why Russia?
Kehinde: An adventure.
Medic: This is an antibiotic—don’t flinch.
Kehinde: Oh. You’re so delicate. That’s good.
Medic: This is for the wounds.
Kehinde: Thank you. I’m very grateful to the Freedom of Russia Legion for saving my life and helping me. Thank you again.