Sent in First to Die: DIU Intercepts Russian Commander Using Racial Slurs While Ordering African Mercenaries Into a Kill Zone in Donbas

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence has published another radio intercept from the front in Donetsk region - and it captures, in the commander's own words, how Russian forces use African and Arab recruits as expendable assault troops.

The recording involves an officer of Russia's 1194th motorized rifle regiment. In it, he issues a combat order for a grove assault in the Donbas kill zone. The tactic is explicit: African fighters go in first to breach the position and absorb fire. Arab fighters follow behind, with the Russian officer entering last.

The Intercept

The commander's order, as published by DIU:

"Two [n-word] opened the doors towards KT-6, from there they pick up yesterday's gift, one reaches the 'Forest', they hold back, then I go out with Arabs. Copy?"

The officer uses a racial slur to refer to the African fighters - language that reflects how Russia's military command views the men it has recruited from across Africa and the Middle East. They are not soldiers to be protected. They are door-openers.

"KT-6" and "Forest" are tactical reference points on the regiment's operational map. "Yesterday's gift" is military slang for a position or objective taken in a prior engagement. The mission: send African fighters to breach toward KT-6, retrieve whatever was taken the day before, hold at the Forest - then the Russian officer advances with his Arab fighters behind them.

The Pattern

This intercept is not an isolated incident. It fits a documented pattern of Russia assigning foreign recruits to high-casualty assault roles - what Ukrainian commanders and investigators have consistently described as deliberate cannon fodder deployment.

African fighters captured or killed in Ukraine have been found in units that sustain among the heaviest losses. Prisoners of war from Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, and other countries have described being placed at the front of assault groups with minimal training and no meaningful ability to refuse orders. 

A verified list of 485 Africans killed while serving in Russia's military, compiled from official records and open-source investigations, demonstrates the scale of the death toll.

A Way Out

DIU's publication of this intercept carries a direct message to any foreign fighter who receives it: there is a way out that does not end in a kill zone outside a Donbas grove. 

Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project offers a safe and verified surrender channel specifically for anyone serving in Russia's forces. Read more details here. 

Source: DIU on Youtube