Ukrainian authorities have confirmed the deaths of two Nigerian nationals who were serving in the Russian army during combat operations in eastern Ukraine.
According to Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (UDI), the bodies of Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole (born April 3, 1983) and Mbah Stephen Udoka (born January 7, 1988) were discovered in the Luhansk region following a drone strike. Both men were identified as members of the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment (military unit 91701) of Russia’s 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division.
In a statement, the intelligence agency said the two Nigerians had joined the Russian army in mid-to-late 2025 after signing military contracts. However, Ukrainian officials alleged that they were deployed to the front lines with little or no formal military training.
“In the Luhansk region, military intelligence operatives discovered the bodies of two citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria — Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole and Mbah Stephen Udoka,” the UDI said. “They were recruited as mercenaries and sent into assault operations with minimal preparation.”
The development underscores the increasing involvement of foreign nationals in Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials described the deaths as further evidence of what they characterised as Moscow’s reliance on poorly trained foreign recruits to sustain its military campaign in the ongoing conflict.
A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence said the incident reflects the broader human toll of the war.
“This tragic case shows how Russia exploits vulnerable foreign citizens, sending them into high-risk combat zones without adequate training,” the spokesperson said. “It is a stark reminder of the human cost of this war.”
The Luhansk region has remained one of the focal points of intense fighting since the escalation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides reporting heavy casualties as the conflict continues.
