What in the World How a Kenyan athlete became a soldier for Russia
Sep 22, 2025
Akisa Wandera, a BBC journalist from Nairobi, shares the astonishing story of Evans Kibet, a Kenyan runner who became a soldier for Russia after unintentionally signing a document. Akisa provides insights into Kibet's transition from athlete to prisoner of war and his escape attempts. Meanwhile, Vitaliy Shevchenko reveals the troubling tactics Russia employs to recruit foreign fighters, including deception and coercion. They explore the implications of this recruitment on global conflicts and the complex repatriation options for those caught in such circumstances.
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Runner Says He Was Tricked Into Fighting
- Evans Kibet says he traveled to Russia as a tourist and was offered work to extend his stay, then given documents in Russian to sign.
- He describes weeks of forced training, being sent to the front and escaping into Ukrainian custody pleading for rescue.
Escape, Surrender, And Plea Not To Return
- Kibet recounts being told to fight or be killed, then escaping into the forest and surrendering to Ukrainian forces with his hands up.
- He is now detained as a prisoner of war in Ukraine and pleads not to be returned to Russia.
Multiple Ways Foreigners End Up Fighting
- Thousands of foreign fighters are involved on the Russian side but exact numbers are secret and contested.
- Recruitment methods vary: voluntary enlistment, deception, and coercion of migrants facing deportation.