Kenyan Man Killed While Fighting for Russia in Eastern Ukraine

Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, a Kenyan citizen killed in Ukraine/DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE OF UKRAINE

A Kenyan national who had been recruited into the Russian armed forces has been killed while fighting in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities have said.

Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence identified the deceased as Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, a 28-year-old Kenyan whose body was reportedly recovered from a former Russian position in the Donetsk region.

In a statement, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) said Mogesa was killed during what it described as a “meat assault,” a term used to refer to high-casualty frontal attacks often involving poorly trained troops.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, Mogesa had been living and working in Qatar before travelling to Russia, where he later signed a contract with the Russian military.

“He left his job in Qatar, underwent minimal military training, and was deployed to the combat zone, where he was killed during an assault operation,” the DIU said.

The agency said Mogesa was assigned to one of Russia’s assault units operating in Donetsk and had been sent to the front lines shortly after completing brief training.

Ukrainian forces reportedly recovered his body after the battle. At the time, he was allegedly carrying passports belonging to two other Kenyan citizens.

Intelligence officials said the documents are believed to belong to fellow Kenyan recruits, raising fears that more Kenyans may have been deployed to the front lines under similar circumstances.

In the same statement, Ukrainian authorities warned foreign nationals against travelling to Russia or accepting employment offers linked to the country, citing the risk of forced deployment.

“The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine warns foreign citizens against travelling to the Russian Federation or accepting any form of employment on its territory,” the statement said.

“There is a real risk of being forcibly sent to assault units without adequate training and with little chance of survival.”

Mogesa’s death comes amid growing reports that hundreds of Africans, including Kenyans, have been recruited to fight in the Ukraine war, often after being lured by promises of jobs, fast income, or residency.

Some recruits are believed to have entered Russia for non-military work before being drawn into combat.

Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has previously acknowledged receiving distress calls from citizens stranded in Russia.

In a recent update, the ministry said 18 Kenyans had been rescued through diplomatic interventions, issued Emergency Travel Documents, and repatriated.

However, officials have warned the scale of the problem may be larger, with reports indicating that more than 200 Kenyans could have been recruited.

The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has confirmed receiving multiple appeals for help from citizens who claim they were misled or coerced into joining the conflict.