How A Kenyan Man Got Tricked Into Fighting In Russia

A 36-year-old Kenyan track star named Evans boarded a plane looking for opportunity—and ended up on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. He says he was promised a job in Russia. Instead, he found himself in uniform, forced to fight in a war he didn’t choose. This documentary episode from Soldiers of the Diaspora uncovers the truth behind modern-day recruitment traps that lure Africans and members of the diaspora into global conflicts. Through Evans’s story, we explore how ambition, deception, and survival collide—and what it means for the Black diaspora serving or suffering in wars around the world. Timestamps (Chapters): 00:00 – He left home chasing a dream 00:40 – The promise that became a trap 02:00 – From athlete to soldier 04:00 – “I’m Kenyan—don’t shoot” 05:00 – The global reaction 06:15 – A legacy of courage — and exploitation 08:00 – Identity and defiance 08:45 – Final reflection — Know where the track leads #AfricanDiaspora #Kenya #UkraineWar #Russia #DiasporaStories #SoldiersOfTheDiaspora