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‘The death zone’: How Russia is luring Africans to Ukraine

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Ms Jane Wanjiku holds up a photo of her husband, James Kamau Ndungu, who died fighting for Russia.

Ms Jane Wanjiku holds up a photo of her husband, James Kamau Ndungu, who died fighting for Russia.

PHOTO: ED RAM/NYTIMES

Matthew Mpoke Bigg, John Eligon and Zimasa Matiwane

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NAIROBI, Kenya – Mr James Kamau Ndungu told only a few friends that he was heading to Russia. He told them he had been promised a job as a day labourer there. He was 32, unemployed in Kenya and needed the work.

Last June, Mr Kamau sent a photo to his friends from Istanbul Airport, saying he was in transit, one of the friends said.

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