Ukrainian Intelligence Reveals Details Of Two Nigerians Killed Fighting For Russia
Ukrainian military intelligence has released alleged contract details of two Nigerians reported to have died while fighting for Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The men were identified as Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole, born on 03.04.1983, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, born on 07.01.1988. Ukrainian authorities said their bodies were discovered in the Luhansk region.
According to the information made public, both men signed contracts with the Russian army in the second half of 2025. Kolawole reportedly signed on August 29, while Udoka enlisted on September 28.
They were said to have served in the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment (military unit 91701) of the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Ukrainian sources alleged that Udoka received no formal military training before deployment. Five days after signing his contract, on October 3, he was assigned to his unit and sent to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
No training records were reported for Kolawole, and Ukrainian authorities suggested it is highly likely that he never received any military training.
Both Nigerians were reportedly killed in late November during an attempt to storm Ukrainian positions in the Luhansk region.
Ukrainian officials stated that they did not engage in a direct firefight but were eliminated in a drone strike.
Kolawole is survived by his wife and three children, who remain in Nigeria.
Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence has warned foreign nationals against travelling to the Russian Federation or accepting any work within the territory of the aggressor state.
“A trip to Russia is a real risk of being forced into a ‘suicide’ assault unit and, ultimately, rotting in Ukrainian soil,” the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine said.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported concerns over Nigerians allegedly being recruited to fight for Russia amid worsening economic hardship at home.
The paper reported that some young Nigerians were lured with promises of high monthly salaries and fast-tracked documentation, only to be deployed to the frontlines shortly after arrival.
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