Oluwagbemileke was arrested by the Freedom of Russia Legion, a unit composed of Russian fighters supporting Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project.
Ukrainian forces have captured a Nigerian national, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, who was reportedly fighting alongside the Russian military in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Oluwagbemileke was arrested by the Freedom of Russia Legion, a unit composed of Russian fighters supporting Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project.
The project added that the 29-year-old was captured in the Zaporizhzhia region after serving with Russian forces for five months.
Oluwagbemileke had been living in Russia for four years before his arrest on drug-related charges, the project further noted.
He was said to have agreed to join Russia’s military campaign in exchange for a reduced sentence instead of serving a prison sentence under Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code.
“Kehinde is one of thousands of mercenaries from third countries recruited by Russia’s Defence Ministry to fight in Ukraine.
“We’ve already published data on nearly 7,000 foreign fighters from 14 countries, but that’s only a small part of the foreigners the Kremlin has sent to die in Ukraine. All of them are cheap manpower, which is not spared,” the organisation stated.
week ago, the Ukrainian Armed Forces captured another foreign soldier — a Chinese citizen fighting for the Russian Army.
He was identified as 24-year-old Wang Wu.
Using AI, The Guardian transcribed the video shared by the legion. Below is the conversation:
Interviewer: Our stormtroopers have returned from a mission with an unusual trophy — Kehinde Oluwagbemileke. Apparently, due to a shortage of cannon fodder, Putin’s commanders are luring foreigners by deception to “defend the Motherland” in far-off Ukraine.
Interrogator: What is your passport?
Kehinde: Russian.
Interrogator: Russian passport?
Kehinde: Yes, Russian passport.
Interrogator: What did you do before?
Kehinde: Before?
Interrogator: Before joining the SVO. You joined the SVO?
Kehinde: Yes.
Interrogator: Why did you go to war?
Kehinde: For quick liberation.
Interrogator: Were you in prison?
Kehinde: Yes, in prison.
Interrogator: And then they freed you?
Kehinde: Yes.
Interrogator: How long have you been in the Army?
Kehinde: Five months.
Interrogator: Five months? Where is your fam
Kehinde: In Nigeria.
Interrogator: In Nigeria? Does your family know you went to war?
Kehinde: No.
Interrogator: They don’t know? Do you regret it?
Kehinde: Of course.
Interrogator: Do you regret going?
Kehinde: Of course. It’s… broken. (points to wound).
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