A man believed to be from Kenya, who was reportedly arrested by Ukrainian soldiers for allegedly serving in the Russian forces, claims that he was duped into joining President Vladimir Putin’s side in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The man identified as Evans allegedly told Ukrainian forces that he had travelled to Russia as a tourist before he was approached with the offer to join the Russian military.
"I ended up in Russia without knowing that I had been enlisted in the Russian army. I had never served before. I did not go to Russia for that,” the man said.
In a video shared by the Kyiv Independent, Evans said that when he arrived in Russia, an unidentified man offered to host him. After about two weeks, the man offered him a job and brought him papers to sign, only to realise that he had signed up to join the Russian army.
"I did not know I was being signed up for the Russian army because I have never been in the military and I have never wanted a military job," he noted.
"This man, who received me in Russia, asked me, 'Evans, how do you see Russia?' I told him Russia is good. He asked me if I would love to stay in Russia. He said he can do something for me," Evans added.
He revealed that upon signing the documents, the man went ahead to confiscate his travel and identity documents as well as phone. Moments later, unidentified people came and took him away.
"After I signed, he took my passport and phone, saying he would return them. From that moment on, other people came for me. They told me to get in the car," he revealed.
Evans claimed that he was taken to a military training centre, where he underwent basic training before he was deployed to the main military camp. He described the place as chaotic.
Due to the unfavourable conditions, Evans claimed that he fled to the Ukrainian soldiers, who gave him food and water.
The Kenyan government has neither confirmed Evans's identity nor reacted to the claims he has raised.
Kenya, which is one of the most affected by the Russia-Ukraine war, has been dependent on Ukraine for grains while also benefiting from donations, including fertiliser from Russia.
Ruto on Russia-Ukraine War
President William Ruto has frequently condemned the war, urging both sides to find alternative forms of dispute resolution. Speaking on August 26, this year, Ruto called for diplomacy to address the ongoing war, noting that it is the only solution to ending the stalemate.
The Head of State, who was speaking moments after bidding farewell to the Ukrainian Ambassador to Kenya, Andril Pravednyk, underscored the need for the implementation of the United Nations Charter on national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
However, in his speech, Ruto explicitly avoided taking sides on the matter, noting that diplomacy through dialogue and negotiation was the only path to peace and an end to hostilities.
"Our position on the war has been clear: We strongly believe in the UN Charter, and especially in national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In addition, it is our firm view that dialogue, not war, is the path to peace and an end to hostilities," Ruto said.
The Head of State also acknowledged the immense impact of the war, saying that the battle had been felt far and wide, especially in the disruption of supply chains for grains, fuel, and fertilisers.
