Ukrainian military intelligence has confirmed the identity of a Kenyan national killed while fighting as a foreign mercenary for Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.
In a statement issued on January 31, 2026, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (DIU) said the body of Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, a Kenyan citizen, was found abandoned at a former Russian military position in the Donetsk region, one of the most heavily contested areas since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“At one of the positions of russian occupation forces, Ukrainian military intelligence identified the body of Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, a citizen of the Republic of Kenya, born in 1997,” the DIU said.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Mogesa had been living and working in Qatar before later signing a contract with the armed forces of the Russian Federation. He was subsequently deployed to an assault unit operating in eastern Ukraine.
“After a brief period of training, Mogesa was killed during a so-called ‘meat assault’ in the Donetsk region,” the DIU said.
The agency added that Russian forces failed to evacuate Mogesa’s body from the battlefield, and that his family received neither compensation nor an explanation from Russian authorities.
“Russian forces did not evacuate the body of the deceased foreign mercenary while his family received neither compensation nor any explanation from the Russian side.”
The DIU further revealed that Mogesa was found in possession of passports belonging to two other Kenyan citizens — individuals believed to have been recruited under similar circumstances and possibly earmarked for future combat operations.
Ukrainian intelligence said the case reinforces its assessment that foreign nationals fighting for Russia are treated as disposable manpower.
“The DIU further noted that Clinton Mogesa became yet another confirmation that, for the Russian army, foreign nationals are treated as expendable resources, sent to their deaths.”
The agency warned foreign nationals against enlisting in the Russian military or accepting employment offers linked to the conflict.
“Traveling to Russia carries a real risk of being forcibly deployed to assault units without adequate training and with little to no chance of survival,” the DIU concluded.
Kenyan authorities have not issued a statement over the incident.
The reported killing comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts by Kenya to protect its citizens who may be caught up in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government is stepping up measures to ensure Kenyans abroad are not exposed to danger or misled by deceptive job offers connected to the conflict.
Speaking on January 30, 2026, during radio interviews in Western Kenya, Mudavadi said Nairobi plans to dispatch an official delegation to Russia to directly engage authorities on the issue, stressing that diplomacy remains the preferred approach.
“I will soon be making an official visit to Russia so that we can engage their government and discuss these issues, so that Kenyans do not fall into traps,” Mudavadi said.
