A Senegalese national, claiming to have fought alongside Russian forces, has been captured by a Ukrainian unit on the Toretsk Front in eastern Ukraine.
The capture, reportedly made by soldiers of the 49th Independent Assault Battalion “Carpathian Sich,” occurred in the Donetsk Oblast. A video released by the Ukrainian unit on their official Facebook page shows the captured man providing a disjointed account of his journey from Russia and the circumstances surrounding his enlistment.
In the video footage, filmed by his Ukrainian captors, the individual states that he studied in Russia for two years before being taken to what he refers to as “the front” after paying money to an intermediary.
His narrative, delivered in broken and somewhat incoherent Russian, suggests a deceptive promise of emigration to Europe via Ukraine, portrayed as a mere transit point. “He said it’s not difficult,” the captured man recounts, referring to the individual who allegedly offered him this prospect.
He describes experiencing combat and bombings, which he claims to have heard “every day,” as well as a drone strike that he says resulted in his injuries. In a state of panic, he states that he attempted to surrender to the Ukrainian soldiers, hoping to receive assistance.
The captured man further adds that, having realized the perilous nature of his situation, his desire to reach Europe has vanished, and his sole wish is to return to Senegal. “Russia is bad. It hurt me a lot. I want to go home,” he declares, concluding his statement with a shouted “Glory to Ukraine.”
According to the 49th Battalion, the Senegalese man sustained minor injuries at the time of his capture. The Ukrainian military reports that he received initial medical treatment before being evacuated from the active combat zone. They also claim to have found Russian bank cards in his possession.
However, the release of this video raises questions regarding the circumstances under which the testimony was recorded. It is currently impossible to independently verify the extent to which his comments were made freely, particularly considering his status as a captured combatant and the inclusion of a pro-Ukraine slogan at the end of his statement. The incident highlights the complex and often opaque nature of foreign involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA