Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate has reported that two Nigerian nationals lost their lives in a drone strike while serving with Russian forces in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.
In a statement released on Thursday, February 12, 2026, titled “Nigerians in a Meat Assault — The Number of Identified Dead Russian Mercenaries from Africa Is Rising,” the agency identified the deceased as Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole (born April 3, 1983) and Mbah Stephen Udoka (born January 7, 1988).
According to Ukrainian intelligence, both men were attached to the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment (military unit 91701), part of the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division of the Russian Armed Forces. The agency stated that Kolawole signed a contract with the Russian military on August 29, 2025, while Udoka enlisted on September 28, 2025.
The statement alleged that Udoka received no formal military training before being deployed to occupied Ukrainian territory just five days after signing his contract. It further claimed that Kolawole’s training records were unavailable, suggesting he may also have been deployed without adequate preparation.
Ukrainian officials said the two Nigerians were killed in late November during an attempt to advance on Ukrainian positions in the Luhansk region. They reportedly did not engage in direct combat, as they were struck by a drone attack.
Kolawole is survived by his wife and three children in Nigeria.
Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence cautioned foreign nationals against travelling to Russia for employment, warning of the potential risks of being recruited into frontline combat units.
The statement follows previous denials by Russian authorities of any official involvement in recruiting Nigerian citizens to participate in the ongoing conflict.
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