A Nigerian national, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, has been captured by Ukrainian forces while serving in the Russian military during the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The 29-year-old was apprehended in the Zaporizhzhia region by the Freedom of Russia Legion — a Ukrainian-aligned unit made up of anti-Putin Russian fighters — under Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” initiative, which encourages Russian soldiers and foreign mercenaries to surrender.
According to the Ukrainian authorities, Kehinde had lived in Russia for four years before being arrested on drug-related charges under Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code.
To escape serving a full prison term, he was offered and agreed to join the Russian army as part of a deal — a decision he now deeply regrets.
In a video released by the Freedom of Russia Legion showing his interrogation, Kehinde disclosed that he had enlisted in the Russian military in exchange for early release from jail.
He referred to the decision as an attempt at a “quick liberation” from incarceration. However, after spending five months on the battlefield, he expressed deep remorse, revealing that the war had left him physically and emotionally wounded.
While being questioned, he admitted that his family in Nigeria had no idea he had joined the Russian military or gone to war. “Of course, I regret it,” he said while pointing to his injuries. “It’s broken,” he added, referring to the damage war had inflicted on his body and spirit.
He also explained that before his arrest, he worked in Russia as a translator, assisting non-Russian speakers including South Americans, Africans, and Chinese nationals. He further revealed that he had fought alongside other African mercenaries, including nationals from Ghana and Cameroon.
Kehinde described the horrific experiences on the frontline, noting that his unit suffered severe casualties. Out of the four men in his group, one died, while the remaining three, including himself, sustained injuries.
The Ukrainian soldier conducting the interrogation confirmed that most members of Kehinde’s unit had either been killed or severely wounded.
Despite the circumstances, Kehinde expressed gratitude to the Freedom of Russia Legion for saving his life and providing medical assistance. As Ukrainian medics treated his wounds, he acknowledged their humane treatment, thanking them for their compassion and care.
The Freedom of Russia Legion condemned the Kremlin for using foreign mercenaries like Kehinde as expendable forces. “He is one of thousands of third-country nationals recruited by Russia’s Ministry of Defence to fight in Ukraine,” the organisation stated.
“We have recorded nearly 7,000 foreign fighters from 14 different countries. But this figure is only a portion of the total — many more have been sent to Ukraine as cheap manpower, with no real concern for their survival.”