36 Nigerians Recruited by Russia; Five Killed in Ukraine

A report published in February 2026 by an investigative group details the recruitment of 36 Nigerians to fight for Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion in February 2022. The report indicates that these young men were allegedly lured abroad with promises of employment and educational opportunities but were coerced into military service.

The investigation identified a database of 1,417 African recruits from 2023 to mid-2025, with Nigerians among those deployed as "cannon fodder" in high-risk operations. The average age of African recruits is reported to be 31, with many drawn from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The confirmed fatalities include Abdoulay Issaka (27), Ismael Agbo (43), Adamu Abdulai Ismail (25), Mikael Fajobi (47), and Taiwo Omoniyi (50). The overall death toll of African recruits stands at 316.

The report highlights how social media platforms were used to deceive potential recruits with advertisements promising lucrative contracts, which often went unfulfilled, leading to unpaid wages and exploitation.