A Kenyan national, Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, 28, was killed fighting for Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (DIU) confirmed.
Mogesa was living and working in Qatar before signing a contract with the Russian military and was deployed to Donetsk with minimal training.
In a statement issued by Ukrainian authorities, Mogesa was killed during what they described as a “meat assault” — a term used to refer to high-casualty frontal attacks involving poorly trained soldiers.
“Mogesa left a job in Qatar, received minimal military training, and was subsequently sent to the combat zone, where he was killed during an assault operation,” the Ukrainian intelligence report said.
His body was later found by Ukrainian forces after the deadly encounter.
Ukrainian authorities further claimed that at the time his body was recovered, Mogesa was carrying passports belonging to two other Kenyan citizens.
Intelligence officials believe the documents belong to fellow Kenyan recruits who may also have been deployed to the front lines, raising concerns that more Kenyans could be involved in the conflict under similar circumstances.
In the same statement, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine issued a warning to foreign nationals against accepting employment offers linked to Russia, cautioning that civilians lured by promises of work or military contracts face significant danger.
“The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine warns foreign citizens against travelling to the Russian Federation or accepting any form of employment on its territory, particularly illegal work,” the statement read. “Travelling to Russia carries a real risk of being forcibly deployed to assault units without adequate training and with little to no chance of survival.”
The death of Mogesa comes amid mounting reports that hundreds of Africans, including Kenyans, have been recruited to fight in the Ukraine war, often after being enticed by employment offers or promises of fast-track income and residency.
Some are believed to have been drawn into military service after arriving in Russia for non-military work.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs had previously acknowledged receiving distress calls from Kenyans stranded or trapped in the Russian Federation.
It said over 200 citizens may have been recruited, with 18 rescued and repatriated recently.
