Main content

How a Kenyan athlete became a soldier for Russia

Evans Kibet says he was tricked into signing paperwork he did not understand

Imagine if you took a trip abroad and in an effort to extend your stay, you unknowingly sign a piece of paperwork that makes you a front line soldier. That鈥檚 what Evans Kibet, a 36 year old runner from Kenya claims happened to him in Russia. He鈥檚 now a prisoner of war in Ukraine. 麻豆社 journalist Akisa Wandera tells us what we know about his case currently.

Citizens of Somalia, Togo, Cuba and Sierra Leone have also been documented as prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces. But how are they recruited in to fighting for the Russian army? 麻豆社鈥檚 Vitaliy Shevchenko from Ukrainecast tells us more about the methods Russia is using to get people all over the world to fight for them in the Russia-Ukraine War.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya
Editor: Harriet Oliver

Available now

12 minutes

Last on

Tue 23 Sep 2025 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 22 Sep 2025 17:50GMT
  • Tue 23 Sep 2025 02:50GMT

Podcast