Reactions have trailed the discovery of two Nigerians who were found dead in Ukraine while serving in the Russian army.
The Ukrainian authorities have said that the bodies of two Nigerians fighting for Russia were found in Luhansk, Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, following a drone strike.
According to AP on Thursday, Hamzat Kolawole and Mbah Udoka both served in the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment of the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
A statement from Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence revealed that Kolawole and Udoka signed their contracts with the Russian military on August 29, 2025, and September 28, 2025, respectively.
“Both Nigerians were killed in late November during an attempt to storm Ukrainian positions in the Luhansk region. They never engaged in a firefight — the mercenaries were eliminated by a drone strike,” the intelligence organisation said.
Russia has been accused of recruiting men from other countries to fight in its war against Ukraine under the pretext of providing employment opportunities.
Some of the people who reacted on social media blamed the poor economy of the country for coercing Nigerians to pick risky jobs abroad.
Kokey Obasi said, “Had it been that Nigeria was working, they could have loved to live and fight for Nigeria but they died for what they believed.”
“Africans should stay out of this fight. We must not be the people to be used always,” Isaiah Victor said.
“They were mercenaries who died in active duty as heroes in their profession,” Yakubu Rulwan added.
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