Tinotenda Hove – Zimbabwean national Mandla Ncube has been killed in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being recruited to fight for Russian forces with the promise of a monthly salary ranging between US$2 000 and US$2 500, The Day Star reported on Tuesday.

Ncube’s death comes amid reports that Russia has recruited at least 1 400 fighters from 36 African countries as part of its war effort. Countries reportedly affected include Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Cameroon, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Following confirmation of his death, Ncube’s wife shared a moving message alongside his photograph, expressing the pain of loss and the circumstances that led him to Ukraine. “Inkosi ivumele ma love lawe ubuzama impilo njengamanye amadoda,” she wrote, noting that her husband had gone abroad in search of a better life, like many other men striving to provide for their families.