Ukrainian intelligence says a Nigerian killed in Russia war died in Kharkiv after allegedly joining Russian forces earlier this year

Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence has reported the death of a Nigerian man, Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, who was allegedly fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war with Ukraine.

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The disclosure was made on Thursday in statements issued by the Ukrainian National News Agency, Ukrinform, and the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian authorities, Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, who was born on April 28, 1992, hailed from Ilutitun in Ondo State and was killed during combat operations in the Kharkiv region near the settlement of Hrafske.

The intelligence agency alleged that the Nigerian signed a mercenary contract with Russian forces in late February 2026, shortly after Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned citizens against involvement in foreign armed conflicts.

Ukrainian officials claimed that foreign recruits were often drawn into the conflict through promises of employment opportunities and rapid financial rewards before being deployed to frontline operations after minimal training.

“Their story is typical… deception, promises of ‘easy money,’ a week of training, deployment to the front, and a quick death,” the statement said.

The agency further alleged that recruitment networks target African nationals through social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp.

According to the report, recruits are allegedly issued visas and one-way flight tickets before travelling to Russia, where their passports are reportedly seized under the pretext of documentation procedures.

The intelligence agency claimed many recruits later discover there are no promised jobs or valid immigration arrangements, leaving them with limited choices.

“Deportation with debt, imprisonment, or signing a contract with the occupying army,” the agency stated while describing the options allegedly presented to recruits.

The report further claimed that at least 215 Nigerians had signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence, while about 25 Nigerians were either dead or missing in action.

Ukrainian authorities said the latest case reflects what they described as a growing pattern of foreign recruitment into the conflict as the war continues with no immediate resolution in sight.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly warned citizens against participating in foreign wars and has maintained that Nigeria is not a party to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Officials have also cautioned Nigerians about the legal, diplomatic and security implications of joining foreign armed groups or military operations abroad.

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The latest report on a Nigerian killed in Russia war has renewed concerns over the vulnerability of African youths to international recruitment schemes linked to ongoing global conflicts.