Sierra Leonean Captured in Ukraine Says He Would Prefer Returning to Russia

A Sierra Leonean prisoner of war (POW) captured in Ukraine has revealed that he would not return to Sierra Leone if released, saying he would rather go back to Russia despite the circumstances that led him into the conflict.

Richard Kanu, who was captured while fighting for Russian forces on the frontline in Ukraine, said he was recruited under a false employment scheme while living in Sierra Leone. According to Kanu, he viewed the opportunity as a way to escape economic hardship and raise funds to support his teenage daughter, Elsie, in pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.

Kanu travelled to Russia believing he had secured legitimate employment. However, he later discovered that the recruitment arrangement was fraudulent. He said he was subsequently compelled to sign a military contract, which eventually led to his deployment to the battlefield in Ukraine.

“When I arrived in Rostov, I saw myself in a military camp, and they told me I have a military contract,” Kanu told the BBC.

He also made a surprising disclosure that he does not wish to return to Sierra Leone if given the opportunity.

“I’d 100% choose to go back to Russia,” Kanu told the BBC.

Richard Kanu, Russian POW BBC Interview

His daughter, Elsie, also expressed support for her father’s position, describing a return to Sierra Leone as a difficult prospect. She suggested that coming back home would mean starting life all over again.

Kanu’s story highlights the growing number of Africans who have been drawn into the Russia-Ukraine war through questionable recruitment schemes. Many have reportedly been killed, injured, or captured while fighting for Russian forces.

Critics say the Russian Government is exploiting vulnerable African men through scam employment contracts. The Africans seeing the opportunity to escape hardship in their countries, rush to sign fake employment contracts.

Just a month ago, the family of a young Sierra Leonean man revealed that he had been lured to Russia with the promise of a security job but was later conscripted into the military and killed in combat in Ukraine.