Kenyan recruited by Russian forces killed in Ukraine combat, Ukraine intelligence says
A Kenyan national who was reportedly recruited into the Russian military has been killed while fighting in eastern Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence.
The deceased has been identified as 28-year-old Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, whose body was allegedly recovered from a former Russian position in the Donetsk region.
In a statement, Ukrainian authorities said Mogesa died during what they described as a high-casualty frontal assault, a tactic often associated with heavy losses and minimal preparation of troops.
According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), Mogesa had been living and working in Qatar before travelling to Russia, where he later signed a contract with the Russian armed forces. The agency claimed he underwent only limited military training before being deployed to the front lines in eastern Ukraine as part of an assault unit.
“Mogesa left a job in Qatar, received minimal military training, and was subsequently sent to the combat zone, where he was killed during an assault operation,” the Ukrainian intelligence report stated.
His body was later discovered by Ukrainian forces after the encounter.
Ukrainian officials further alleged that Mogesa was found carrying passports belonging to two other Kenyan citizens. Intelligence sources believe the documents may belong to fellow recruits, raising fears that more Kenyans could be fighting in the conflict under similar circumstances.
In the same statement, the DIU cautioned foreign nationals against accepting employment or military-related offers linked to Russia, warning that civilians risk being drawn into the war under dangerous conditions.
“The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine warns foreign citizens against travelling to the Russian Federation or accepting any form of employment on its territory, particularly illegal work,” the statement read. “Such travel carries a real risk of being forcibly deployed to assault units without proper 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. Many are said to have been lured by promises of jobs, fast income, or residency opportunities, only to find themselves enlisted into military service after arriving in Russia.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has previously confirmed receiving distress calls from citizens stranded in the Russian Federation. The ministry said that through diplomatic efforts, 18 Kenyans have so far been rescued, issued with Emergency Travel Documents, and repatriated.
However, officials have warned that the scale of the problem could be much larger. Estimates suggest that more than 200 Kenyans may have been drawn into the conflict, with the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow reporting multiple appeals from citizens who claim they were misled or coerced into joining the war.
