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 it was an example of how Russia treats foreign recruits. However, they added that he had 'fought on the side of the enemy,' challenging viewers to believe his words and tears. Many foreign recruits are reportedly deceived with promises of jobs in Russia, while others may join voluntarily. Kibet's family back in Kenya is devastated, as his cousin Edith Chesoi describes the trauma she feels from seeing his distress. While Kibet has faced unimaginable adversity, he continues to plead for his life, highlighting the harsh realities for many entangled in global conflicts.
Kenyan Athlete Evans Kibet's Disturbing Journey from Dreams to War
Kenyan Athlete Evans Kibet's Disturbing Journey from Dreams to War
Evans Kibet, a Kenyan long-distance runner, pleads for his life after being tricked into joining the Russian army. His desperate story unfolds in a heart-wrenching video released by Ukrainian forces.
Evans Kibet, a 36-year-old Kenyan athlete, finds himself caught in a nightmare after being misled into the Russian army. In a recent video, he emotionally declares, 'I'm Kenyan, don't shoot,' as he seeks to flee his captors and return home to his family. Initially excited about a racing opportunity in Russia, Kibet soon discovered that he had unknowingly signed up for military service, facing threats to fight or be killed. His plight highlights the exploitation of foreign recruits in conflict zones and raises questions about their treatment and repatriation. Kibet's family in Kenya is desperate for his safe return, urging the government to intervene.
