According to The Cable, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, in a statement issued on Thursday, identified the deceased as Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, born on April 28, 1992.
Ukraine has said another Nigerian, Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor from Ondo State, has been killed while allegedly fighting alongside Russian forces as a mercenary in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
According to The Cable, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, in a statement issued on Thursday, identified the deceased as Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, born on April 28, 1992.
Victor was said to be from Ilutitun in Ondo State, Nigeria.
The front page of his Nigerian international passport was reportedly attached to the Ukrainian statement confirming his identity.
Ukrainian authorities said he was killed in the Kharkiv region, near the settlement of Hrafske.
The statement claimed Victor signed a mercenary contract in late February, about one week after Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned citizens against illegal recruitment into foreign conflicts, following reports of Nigerians being lured abroad and forced into combat roles.
Before that warning, Ukraine said it had earlier recovered the bodies of two Nigerians in the Luhansk region, who were allegedly fighting on Russia’s side in the war.
Russia has consistently denied allegations that it recruits Nigerians or other Africans to fight in the conflict, describing such claims as unfounded.
Ukrainian authorities also claimed that about 215 Nigerians have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence, with at least 25 of them reportedly killed or missing in action.
Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
koikimedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep