Ukraine has announced the death of another Nigerian citizen allegedly killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war against Ukraine, further raising concerns over the involvement of foreign nationals in the conflict.
According to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, the deceased was identified as Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, born on April 28, 1992, and said to be from Ilutitun in Ondo State, Nigeria. Ukrainian authorities claimed he died in the Kharkiv region near the settlement of Hrafske during combat operations.
The agency also released what it said was a copy of the first page of his Nigerian international passport as part of its statement confirming the incident.
Reports indicated that Victor allegedly signed a mercenary contract in late February 2026, just a week after Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a public warning cautioning citizens against joining foreign armed conflicts. The warning had highlighted growing cases of Nigerians being recruited abroad under false promises and later deployed into active combat zones.
Ukrainian authorities further alleged that Victor was part of a wider group of foreign fighters who had joined Russian forces during the prolonged conflict, now in its fourth year.
This latest claim comes months after Ukraine reported the discovery of the bodies of two other Nigerians in the Luhansk region, who were also alleged to have been fighting on the Russian side.
Russia has repeatedly denied accusations that it recruits Nigerian or other African nationals for military operations, describing such claims as unfounded and politically motivated.
However, Ukrainian intelligence sources maintain that at least 215 Nigerians have reportedly signed contracts with Russia’s Ministry of Defence, with around 25 of them said to have been killed or declared missing in action.
The development has sparked renewed concerns over the vulnerability of foreign nationals in the conflict zone, as well as warnings from Nigerian authorities urging citizens to avoid involvement in the war.
Diplomatic observers say the situation could place additional pressure on Nigeria’s foreign policy and consular services, especially if more confirmed cases of Nigerian casualties emerge from the battlefield.
