Ukrainian authorities say the bodies of two Nigerian nationals who were fighting for Russia have been recovered in eastern Ukraine, highlighting ongoing allegations that Moscow is recruiting foreign nationals for its war effort. In a statement on Thursday, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine identified the men as Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole and Mbah Stephen Udoka. Both served in the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, according to the intelligence agency.
The statement said the two men signed contracts with the Russian military in the second half of 2025 Kolawole on August 29 and Udoka on September 28, and did not receive formal military training. Kolawole is survived by his wife and three children in Nigeria. Their bodies were found in Luhansk, part of the Donbas. Ukrainian intelligence said both men were killed in late November during an attempted assault on Ukrainian positions and were struck by a drone before engaging in direct combat.
Russia has faced repeated accusations of recruiting men from Africa and other regions with promises of well paid civilian jobs or residency, then deploying them to the front lines. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict, largely concentrated in eastern and southern Ukraine, has displaced millions of civilians and disrupted global food and energy supplies.
