Derrick Ngamana, a 32-year-old from the Central African Republic (CAR), has been confirmed as the first African mercenary to die while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, according to Russian-language news outlet Sistema. 

The outlet cited official documents corroborating his death. Sistema is a joint project of Current Time and Radio Liberty.

Ngamana was killed during the battle for Novoivanovka in the Sudzhansky district of Russia’s Kursk region on November 15, 2024. Ukrainian forces had captured the village during the Kursk offensive in August 2024, but it was recaptured by Russian troops on December 10.

Ngamana had previously served as a corporal in the CAR armed forces before joining Russia’s 155th Pacific Fleet Marine Brigade in September 2024. The brigade has reportedly sustained significant casualties during the ongoing conflict. According to Sistema, Ngamana initially travelled to Russia to study but encountered financial difficulties, prompting him to enlist. He hoped to secure a better future for his children, his brother told Sistema.

Loic Ouangapou, a diplomat at the CAR Embassy in Moscow, stated in a December 14 Facebook post that Ngamana had reached out in 2023 for assistance enrolling in a Russian university but lacked sufficient funds. Ouangapou revealed that Ngamana opted to travel to Russia as a tourist in July 2024, ultimately enlisting in the Russian military.

"Derrick chose to go down that path by volunteering with the Russian armed forces, a decision that was entirely his own," Ouangapou wrote.

In a June 2024 report, Bloomberg, citing unnamed European officials, highlighted Russia’s recruitment of thousands of Africans. Recruits were reportedly enticed with promises of lucrative salaries, medical benefits and citizenship for their families. Some, including students and migrants, were allegedly coerced under the threat of visa cancellations.