Zambian killed in Ukraine was employed as Russian mercenary

A Ukrainian soldier stands a top a destroyed Russian APC after a battle in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on March 26, 2022. [AP Photo]

A Zambian student who had been serving a prison sentence in Russia and died fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine had been employed by Russian mercenary group Wagner, its leader said.

Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin said on the Russian social media app VKontake on Tuesday that the student, 23 year-old Lemekhane Nyireda, "died a hero."