Ukraine’s military intelligence has announced that another Nigerian citizen, Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, has reportedly been killed while allegedly fighting alongside Russian troops in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.
The claim was made on Thursday through statements attributed to the Ukrainian National News Agency (Ukrinform) and Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence agency, officially known as the Main Intelligence Directorate.
According to the report, Victor, born on 28 April 1992 and said to be from Ilutitun in Ondo State, Nigeria, died during combat operations in the Kharkiv region near the settlement of Hrafske, where clashes with Ukrainian forces were taking place.
Ukrainian intelligence further stated that Victor allegedly joined a mercenary arrangement in late February 2026, just days after Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned citizens against participating in foreign armed conflicts through illegal recruitment channels.
The agency claimed that many foreign recruits are drawn in with promises of employment and financial reward, but are later deployed to active combat zones shortly after arriving in Russia.
It described the pattern as involving deception, brief training periods, and immediate frontline deployment, often resulting in high fatalities.
The statement also alleged that recruitment networks target foreign nationals, including Africans, through social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. It further claimed that recruits are issued travel documents and one-way tickets, but have their passports seized upon arrival in Moscow under the pretext of processing.
Victims, according to the report, are allegedly left with no valid documentation, no employment, and limited options, which the agency described as forcing individuals into either deportation under debt, detention, or signing military contracts.
Ukrainian authorities also cited figures suggesting that about 215 Nigerians may have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence, while approximately 25 are either dead or missing in action. The claims could not be independently verified.
The agency urged Nigerians to avoid what it described as illegal recruitment schemes and warned against involvement in the conflict, encouraging those targeted to report through official support channels.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has repeatedly cautioned its citizens against joining foreign wars, stressing that Nigeria is not a party to the Russia–Ukraine conflict and warning of serious legal consequences for violators.