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 says he was tricked into joining the Russian army and is desperate to go home to see his 16-year-old daughter.
In a Facebook post accompanying the video, the 57th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade stated that this incident illustrates how Russia treats foreign recruits, though they noted Kibet had fought on the side of the enemy, leaving his sincerity in doubt.
Captured soldiers from various nations, including Somalia and Sierra Leone, are currently held in Ukrainian POW camps, indicating a broader theme of vulnerability among foreign recruits.
Kibet's family and friends in Kenya are reeling from his predicament. His cousin, Edith Chesoi, voiced deep concern, stating that replaying Kibet's video has left her traumatized and sleepless.
Growing up in a farming family, Kibet dedicated his life to athletics, but struggled financially despite his passion for running. A chance offer to race in Russia ended in disaster when he unwittingly became part of a military conflict.
Upon signing recruitment papers, Kibet found himself trapped in a military camp with no option but to fight or face dire consequences. He escaped after a week of training, reaching out to Ukrainian soldiers in a desperate bid for safety.
The Kenyan government has been approached for assistance in securing his repatriation, but skepticism about their responsiveness looms.
Kibet's family remains hopeful, prioritizing his well-being over all else, urging for forgiveness amidst extraordinary circumstances.
