Ukraine Identifies Two Nigerians Killed While Fighting for Russia in Luhansk Region
Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate has disclosed that two Nigerian citizens lost their lives during a drone strike while serving in the Russian military in the Luhansk region. In a statement released on Thursday, February 12, 2026, titled "Nigerians in a Meat Assault — The Number of Identified Dead Russian Mercenaries from Africa Is Rising," the agency provided detailed information about the deceased individuals.
Details of the Deceased Nigerians
The agency identified the two Nigerians as Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole, born on April 3, 1983, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, born on January 7, 1988. Their bodies were discovered in the Luhansk region in late November during an attempt to storm Ukrainian positions. According to the statement, both men served in the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment (military unit 91701) of the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division of the Russian armed forces.
They signed contracts with the Russian army in the second half of 2025: Kolawole on August 29 and Udoka on September 28. Notably, Udoka "received no training whatsoever" and was deployed to occupied Ukrainian territory just five days after signing his contract. Kolawole's training records are missing, and it is "highly likely that he also received no military training." Kolawole leaves behind a wife and three children in Nigeria.
Circumstances of Their Deaths
Both Nigerians were killed in late November during the attempt to storm Ukrainian positions in the Luhansk region. The statement emphasized that they never engaged in a firefight; instead, the mercenaries were eliminated by a drone strike. This incident underscores the dangerous conditions faced by foreign nationals recruited into the conflict.
Warnings and Broader Context
Ukraine's Defence Intelligence issued a stern warning to foreign citizens against travelling to Russia or taking work there. The statement cautioned, "A trip to Russia is a real risk of being forced into a 'suicide' assault unit and, ultimately, rotting in Ukrainian soil." This warning comes amid ongoing tensions and follows Russia's denial of any official involvement in recruiting Nigerians for the war. The agency's revelation highlights the rising number of identified dead Russian mercenaries from Africa, raising concerns about international recruitment practices in conflict zones.
