‎Ukraine identifies two Nigerian men killed while fighting for Russian forces

‎Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence has confirmed the identities of two Nigerian nationals whose bodies were found in the war-torn Luhansk region, saying they were killed while serving with Russian military forces in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
‎
‎The men have been named as Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole, 42, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, 37, according to the intelligence directorate. Both were reportedly serving in the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment of the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division, a unit of the Russian Armed Forces.
‎
‎Ukrainian authorities say the pair signed contracts with the Russian military in the second half of 2025 — Kolawole on 29 August and Udoka on 28 September.
‎
‎ Documents and intelligence indicate that Udoka received no formal military training before being sent to the frontlines on 3 October, just days after enlisting. There are no preserved records confirming that Kolawole underwent training, but Ukrainian officials believe he also likely did not receive proper preparation for combat.
‎
‎Both men were killed in late November 2025 during an attempted assault on Ukrainian positions in the Luhansk region, with Ukrainian forces saying they were struck by a drone before engaging in ground combat. Kolawole is survived by his wife and three children in Nigeria.
‎
‎In a public warning, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence urged foreign nationals to avoid travelling to Russia or accepting work there, saying such moves carry the risk of being drawn into frontline combat roles with little training or support.
‎
‎The conflict, now in its fourth year, has seen repeated allegations that Russia is recruiting foreign nationals, some under misleading pretences of civilian employment, before deploying them on the battlefield.
‎