'Given a gun and sent to die': Kenyans lured to fight for Russia in Ukraine

Relatives of Kenyan nationals conscripted by the Russian army in Ukraine pose with photos of their family members during a demonstration demanding urgent government action to repatriate their kin, in Nairobi on Feb.19, 2026.

Kenya's intelligence service warns that over 1,000 citizens may have been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, many under false pretenses.

(Image credit: Simon Maina)