Ukrainian troops have eliminated a group of Kenyan mercenaries who were fighting on the side of Russia
This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence.
One of the mercenaries sent by the Russians to take part in the assaults was identified through the ‘I Want to Live’ project. He turned out to be Nyambura Eric Mwangi, a Kenyan born in 2003. He arrived in Yaroslavl on 23–24 October 2025 together with other Kenyan nationals: Wanjiru Joseph Kamau, Karithi Joel Ngure and Kibet Ronald Kipkurui.
It was at that very time that other Kenyans also arrived in the city — Ombori Denis Bagaku and Wahome Simon Gititu, who had been killed back in February. At that time, the mercenaries signed contracts in Yaroslavl and went to the training centre. They underwent training there for a week and a half. Mwangi was then assigned the role of radio operator and sent to the front line.
However, he was later transferred to the assault troops and, in early 2026, sent to the area around the village of Borova in the Kharkiv region. According to preliminary data, the Kenyan was killed by a mortar strike whilst attempting to cross a minefield
According to Ukrainian intelligence, despite agreements between Russia and African countries that the Kremlin would not recruit their citizens, records have been identified of 2,965 mercenaries who nevertheless signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces. The Russian army has the highest number of mercenaries from countries such as Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Algeria, Mali, South Sudan and the Republic of South Africa.
As of August 2025, the deaths of at least 316 residents of African countries who fought on the side of the Russian Federation have been confirmed.
It was previously reported that Russia had stepped up the recruitment of African citizens into its armed forces.
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