Two Nigerians Killed In Russian Army Drone Strike In Luhansk, Ukraine Intelligence Reviews
Ukraine’s Principal Intelligence Directorate has confirmed that two Nigerian residents, Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole (born 3 April 1983) and Mbah Stephen Udoka (born 7 January 1988), had been killed whereas serving within the Russian navy within the Luhansk area. Each males died in late November throughout an tried assault on Ukrainian positions, based on an announcement issued by the company.
The assertion, titled “Nigerians in a meat assault the variety of recognized lifeless Russian mercenaries from Africa is rising,” revealed that each males had been assigned to the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment (navy unit 91701) of the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division of the Russian armed forces. Kolawole signed his contract on August 29, 2025, whereas Udoka signed on September 28, 2025.
Ukraine’s intelligence report signifies that Udoka obtained no navy coaching earlier than being deployed to occupied Ukrainian territory simply 5 days after signing his contract. Kolawole’s coaching information are lacking, although it’s “extremely probably” he additionally lacked correct preparation. Kolawole leaves behind a spouse and three youngsters in Nigeria, highlighting the human price of those overseas deployments.
“Each Nigerians had been eradicated by a drone strike and by no means engaged in a firefight,” the Ukrainian company added. It additionally issued a stark warning to overseas nationals contemplating work in Russia: “A visit to Russia is an actual threat of being compelled right into a ‘suicide’ assault unit and, in the end, rotting in Ukrainian soil.”
Reviews from media shops, together with CNN, have urged that some Nigerians and different Africans had been recruited below the guise of safety or private-sector jobs in Russia earlier than being deployed to the entrance traces in Ukraine. Movies and eyewitness accounts have surfaced alleging transient, insufficient coaching and quick deployment into fight conditions.
The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, denied official authorities involvement, stating: “There isn’t any government-supported programme to recruit Nigerians to struggle in Ukraine. If there are unlawful organisations or people attempting to recruit Nigerians by illegal means, this isn’t linked with the Russian state.”
The deaths of Kolawole and Udoka underline ongoing considerations about the usage of overseas nationals within the Ukraine battle. Many are deployed with minimal coaching, leaving them susceptible in high-risk operations. Ukrainian authorities proceed to focus on the risks of such recruitment and name on overseas residents to keep away from touring to Russia for navy or safety work.
Analysts observe that these circumstances elevate broader questions on accountability and the position of mercenary forces in fashionable conflicts, significantly in areas like Japanese Ukraine the place drone strikes and different superior navy ways are more and more employed.
Kolawole and Udoka are amongst a number of overseas nationals reported killed whereas serving in Russian navy operations in Ukraine, a pattern that continues to attract worldwide consideration and scrutiny. Their deaths additionally illustrate the rising human toll of the battle past the quick battlefield, affecting households and communities hundreds of miles away.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Times Nigeria