One of the foreign fighters recruited by Russian forces for assault operations was identified through the “I Want to Live” project, the agency said.
Among those killed was Kenyan national Nyambura Eric Mwangi, born in 2003, according to military intelligence. He arrived in the Russian city of Yaroslavl on Oct. 23–24, 2025, along with three other Kenyan nationals — Wanjiru Joseph Kamau, Karithi Joel Ngure, and Kibet Ronald Kipkurui.
Additional Kenyan nationals who were killed — Ombwori Denis Bagaku and Wahome Simon Gititu — arrived during the same period, the agency said.
The recruits signed contracts in Russia and were sent to a training center, where they underwent roughly a week and a half of preparation before deployment, according to the agency.
Mwangi was initially assigned as a radio operator and deployed to the front line but did not serve in that role, instead being reassigned to an assault unit, the agency said. Russian forces deployed him to combat near the settlement of Borova in Kharkiv Oblast earlier this year.
At least 316 African mercenaries had been confirmed killed as of August 2025, though actual losses are likely significantly higher, according to military intelligence.
Russia has recruited more than 1,000 Kenyan nationals to fight in its war against Ukraine, Kenyan lawmaker Kimani Ichung’wah said, citing a joint report by intelligence services and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
More than 200 Kenyan citizens were fighting on Russia’s side as of November 2025, Kenya’s Foreign Ministry reported.
Russia has intensified economic cooperation with Kenya to expand its political influence and use these ties to recruit African nationals for the war, Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation said on Nov. 12.
Russia is also expanding a global recruitment campaign across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, often presenting it as cooperation with governments or security structures, the center said in October.