Three Beninese nationals have died while fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine, according to the report "Le commerce du désespoir." Among the deceased was Omanda Abane Eric, the eldest son of Imam Abdel Madjid Tairou. The report notes the tragic outcomes for foreign recruits caught in the ongoing conflict, noting that three Beninese nationals have died fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine.
"Abane était en Russie pour ses études mais pas pour entrer dans l’armée et aller en guerre. Il ne m’a pas consulté avant d’intégrer l’armée russe," stated Imam Abdel Madjid Tairou. His brother, Moussedick Tairou, described the circumstances of his death, saying, "Ils l’ont envoyé à l’abattoir…Il n’a pas fait trois mois de formation." Regarding his sibling, Moussedick Tairou added, "Abane, c’est un frère comme un père. Quand je dis un frère comme un père, c’est qu’il a la capacité d’endosser le rôle du père. C’est un frère, franchement, c’est triste."
Family Mourns Unofficial Loss
Imam Abdel Madjid Tairou and his family received no official communication regarding the death of Omanda Abane Eric. The family learned of his passing through unofficial channels rather than through diplomatic or military notifications. This lack of formal notification has left the family of Omanda Abane Eric to navigate their grief without clarity or support from the entities responsible for his recruitment and deployment. Omanda Abane Eric was the eldest son of Imam Abdel Madjid Tairou, a loss that has profoundly impacted his surviving relatives.
Data compiled in the report "Le commerce du désespoir" indicates that 15 Beninese nationals were among 1,417 individuals from 35 African countries recruited into the Russian army between January 2023 and September 2025. These recruitment efforts spanned diverse regions, drawing citizens from numerous nations into the conflict. The process involved individuals who, like Omanda Abane Eric, were initially present in Russia for academic pursuits before being integrated into military service.
The same report documents that 316 African combatants have died in Ukraine to date. This total includes three Beninese citizens, a figure that accounts for the loss of Omanda Abane Eric and two other unnamed nationals. The report "Le commerce du désespoir" states that 316 Africans have been killed in combat in Ukraine, including three Beninese. The documentation provided in the report shows the scale of the participation of African nationals, with 15 Beninese nationals being part of the 1,417 Africans from 35 countries recruited into the Russian army between January 2023 and September 2025. The family of Omanda Abane Eric remains among those awaiting definitive answers regarding the loss of their relative, as the report confirms that the family was not officially notified of his death.
