The United Kingdom has sanctioned three Russians accused of luring Nigerians and other foreign nationals to Russia with promises of better opportunities, only to recruit them into the war in Ukraine.
In a statement issued by the UK Mission in Nigeria, one of those sanctioned was identified as Polina Alexandrovna Azarnykh, who is said to have close ties to Russian authorities.
UK Sanctions Minister Stephen Doughty condemned what he described as Russia’s exploitation of vulnerable people to support its war in Ukraine.
Russia has repeatedly denied the allegations. In February, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyelyshev, dismissed the claims during a press briefing.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier warned citizens against falling for overseas recruitment schemes, amid viral videos showing individuals claiming to be Nigerians fighting alongside Russian troops on the front lines.
Editor: Ada Ononye
