With tears in his eyes, a young Kenyan athlete now captive in Ukraine pleads not to be sent back to Russia. I will die there, Evans Kibet says, waving his hands in the air towards the unseen interviewer on the video released on Wednesday by a Ukrainian army brigade. The 36-year-old prisoner-of-war is wearing a red sports top. The brigade's flag is pinned up behind him.
The aspiring long-distance runner claims he was tricked into joining the Russian army and desperately wants to return home to see his 16-year-old daughter. In a Facebook post accompanying the video, the 57th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade stated that it showcases how Russia treats foreign recruits, yet they added that Kibet had fought on the side of the enemy, so whether to believe the words and tears is up to your discretion.
The brigade asserted that the interview was filmed with Kibet's consent, although the BBC has not verified this. While recruits from abroad in the Russian army are not unheard of, Kibet's situation stands out as a rare instance of a captive foreigner speaking on video.
Kibet's family and friends in Kenya are reeling from the distressing video. His cousin Edith Chesoi, overwhelmed with emotion, mentioned replaying the video repeatedly. Kibet’s younger brother, Isaac Kipyego, described him as humble and a pillar for the family, dedicated to his sport.
Kibet states, I love running, I love running, but it was this passion that might have unwittingly led him to become a Russian recruit. Growing up in a farming family from Mount Elgon, he trained in Iten, known for producing champions, but struggled to achieve significant financial success within athletics. Friends indicated he had long been facing financial difficulties.
In March, he sought help from a training partner to race in Poland, but the team was already full. Later, a sports agent offered him a trip to Russia, which he eagerly accepted. On his video, he claims he went to Russia as a visitor, unaware it would lead him into military service.
Kibet recollects: “He came with some papers written in Russian. He told me: 'This is the job I want you to do,' which he later learned was military enlistment. After realizing the fraud he had fallen into, he attempted to escape during a mission, eventually surrendering to Ukrainian soldiers. I said: 'I am a Kenyan, please don't shoot me,' he recalls, mirroring the gesture protective of his life.
His family hopes for his return and urges the Kenyan government to act. Kibet's safety remains the priority, as they navigate the horrors of this unforeseen situation.
The aspiring long-distance runner claims he was tricked into joining the Russian army and desperately wants to return home to see his 16-year-old daughter. In a Facebook post accompanying the video, the 57th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade stated that it showcases how Russia treats foreign recruits, yet they added that Kibet had fought on the side of the enemy, so whether to believe the words and tears is up to your discretion.
The brigade asserted that the interview was filmed with Kibet's consent, although the BBC has not verified this. While recruits from abroad in the Russian army are not unheard of, Kibet's situation stands out as a rare instance of a captive foreigner speaking on video.
Kibet's family and friends in Kenya are reeling from the distressing video. His cousin Edith Chesoi, overwhelmed with emotion, mentioned replaying the video repeatedly. Kibet’s younger brother, Isaac Kipyego, described him as humble and a pillar for the family, dedicated to his sport.
Kibet states, I love running, I love running, but it was this passion that might have unwittingly led him to become a Russian recruit. Growing up in a farming family from Mount Elgon, he trained in Iten, known for producing champions, but struggled to achieve significant financial success within athletics. Friends indicated he had long been facing financial difficulties.
In March, he sought help from a training partner to race in Poland, but the team was already full. Later, a sports agent offered him a trip to Russia, which he eagerly accepted. On his video, he claims he went to Russia as a visitor, unaware it would lead him into military service.
Kibet recollects: “He came with some papers written in Russian. He told me: 'This is the job I want you to do,' which he later learned was military enlistment. After realizing the fraud he had fallen into, he attempted to escape during a mission, eventually surrendering to Ukrainian soldiers. I said: 'I am a Kenyan, please don't shoot me,' he recalls, mirroring the gesture protective of his life.
His family hopes for his return and urges the Kenyan government to act. Kibet's safety remains the priority, as they navigate the horrors of this unforeseen situation.
