Ukrainian soldiers have announced that they captured several Kenyans who were fighting on the side of Russia in the war that has lasted more than three years between the two countries. They were captured in Kharkiv Oblast, according to Ukraine’s 57th Motorized Infantry Brigade. Kenya’s Daily Nation reported, citing a source from the Kenyan Embassy, that four Kenyans were among those captured. They were identified as Peter Njega, Felix Mutahi, Martin Munene, and Evans. Ukrainian media reported that the man who identified himself as Evans said that in civilian life he was an athlete and that

Ukrainian soldiers have announced that they captured several Kenyans who were fighting on the side of Russia in the war that has lasted more than three years between the two countries. They were captured in Kharkiv Oblast, according to Ukraine’s 57th Motorized Infantry Brigade. Kenya’s Daily Nation reported, citing a source from the Kenyan Embassy, that four Kenyans were among those captured. They were identified as Peter Njega, Felix Mutahi, Martin Munene, and Evans. Ukrainian media reported that the man who identified himself as Evans said that in civilian life he was an athlete and that he had traveled to Russia as a tourist but was deceived into joining the Russian army. “I ended up in Russia without knowing that I had been enlisted in the Russian army. I had never served before,” Evans said in a video released by the brigade. “I didn’t go to Russia for that.” In the same video, Evans explained that the man who hosted him in Russia offered him a job and gave him documents to sign, which later turned out to be a military contract. “After I signed, he took my passport and phone, saying he would return them. From that moment on, other people came for me and told me to get in the car,” he added. He further explained that after just one week of basic training, he was sent to a military camp. Fearing for his life, he eventually fled and surrendered to Ukrainian forces. The Kenyan government has not yet commented on whether those captured are indeed Kenyan citizens. Meanwhile, nine Ugandans were recently arrested at Entebbe Airport in Kampala as they attempted to travel to Ukraine and Russia to fight on Russia’s side. Since February 2022, Russia has been at war with Ukraine after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion, claiming it was to prevent NATO from expanding closer to its borders. The war has drawn in the international community, with each side receiving support from its allies the U.S. and Europe backing Ukraine, while mercenaries from different regions joined Russia.

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