The UK government has sanctioned Russian national Polina Azarnykh over allegations that she recruited Nigerians and other foreign nationals to fight for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Azarnykh was sanctioned on May 5 under Britain’s Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Sanctions Regulations 2025.
According to UK authorities, she facilitated the movement of recruits from countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Syria and Yemen through Russia before deploying them to support Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine.
A BBC investigation previously alleged that Azarnykh operated a Telegram channel used to recruit foreign fighters with promises of salaries, citizenship and non-combat roles. Some recruits later claimed they were misled and forced into frontline combat. The development was reported by Gazette Nigeria, citing UK government records and the BBC investigation.
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