Ukraine says Zimbabwean among foreign nationals killed fighting for Russia

United24Media

A Zimbabwean national fighting alongside Russian forces has reportedly been killed by Ukrainian troops on the Lyman front, according to Ukraine’s 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade.

The brigade said on September 2 that its 3rd Mechanized Battalion “Fireflies” and the “Siverska Sich” Motorized Infantry Battalion had killed foreign nationals from Zimbabwe and Colombia fighting in Russian ranks.

The Ukrainian military also released images of what it identified as a Zimbabwean passport and Russian military documents belonging to a foreign fighter serving in Russia’s armed forces. The claims could not independently be verified.

According to the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, foreign nationals now account for about 30% of personnel in newly deployed Russian units operating within its area of responsibility.

The brigade said the number of foreign fighters, particularly from African and Latin American countries, had continued to increase, with some allegedly recruited into Russian military service through deception.

The latest statement follows comments made several days earlier by Vasyl Denysiuk, spokesperson for the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, who told Suspilne on August 29 that foreign personnel were increasingly appearing among Russian reinforcements arriving on the Lyman axis.

Denysiuk said the recruits come from Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia.

He claimed that when Russia deploys a fresh company into the brigade’s area of responsibility, approximately one platoon can consist entirely of foreign personnel.

According to Denysiuk, many of the foreign recruits receive limited military preparation before being sent into combat.

The Ukrainian military has linked the alleged lack of preparation to an increase in foreign fighters surrendering to Ukrainian forces.

Denysiuk also said Russian forces continued to reinforce the Lyman sector with assault troops and drone crews while trying to identify vulnerable points in the Ukrainian defensive line.

The reported death of the Zimbabwean national adds to growing evidence of foreign nationals becoming involved in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

On August 4, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Liubinets said Ukraine had captured citizens from 51 countries while they were fighting in Russian ranks.

Source: United24Media