Near Lyman, Ukrainian forces captured a Russian mercenary from Africa
Near Lyman in Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces captured a Ugandan citizen who was fighting on the side of Russia. He signed a contract with the Russian army under the threat of a gun.
This was reported on Facebook by the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade.
According to the brigade, in the fall of 2025, Ukrainian drone operators and infantry repeatedly neutralized Black Russian mercenaries moving toward enemy positions, but due to the lack of documents, they could not be identified.
The situation became clear just before the New Year, when a exhausted and frostbitten man without a weapon ran to one of the checkpoints near Lyman, asking for help. He turned out to be a Ugandan citizen named Richard.
According to him, he initially came to Russia for civilian work and better pay, even taking a loan for his plane ticket. However, upon arrival, he was forced to sign a contract with the Russian army under threat of death.
“I didn’t know we were being taken to Balashikha. I thought we were going to work in a supermarket… Then they told us: ‘Sorry guys, but now you’re in the Russian army,’” Richard said.
He added that even after refusing to serve, the gates were blocked and automatic rifles were pointed at them, forcing him to sign the documents.
