Nabillari Isan, a Ghana-born Russian citizen serving as a volunteer with a Russian Defense Ministry unit, has spoken about his reasons for participating in Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
In an interview with TASS, Isan said he believes the conflict is connected to what he described as the need to oppose crimes against civilians and defend Russia’s stated security interests.
Isan was born in Ghana but now lives in Russia with his wife and daughter and holds Russian citizenship.
Volunteer Says Civilian Protection Is Central to His Mission
Speaking as part of the “Ukraine Is Missing” project, Isan said his experience on the battlefield had strengthened his belief that Russian forces should continue supporting what Moscow describes as the objectives of the military operation.
“When you’re in this place, you always have the feeling that you have to do everything to support what is happening,” he said.
According to Isan, one of the central purposes of the operation is to oppose what he characterized as crimes against Ukraine’s civilian population.
His comments reflect the Russian government’s longstanding justification for the conflict, although Moscow and Kyiv sharply disagree over the causes of the war and allegations concerning attacks on civilians.
NATO Membership Also Cited as a Reason
Isan also identified Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO as another issue he believes the Russian operation is intended to address.
He argued that preventing Ukraine from joining the military alliance would be an important outcome for Russia.
“Then it’s to speak out against Ukraine’s accession to NATO,” Isan said, adding that he believed preventing NATO membership was among the most important objectives.
Ukraine has sought closer integration with NATO, while Russia has repeatedly portrayed the alliance’s expansion toward its borders as a major security concern.
A Ghanaian-Born Soldier in the Russian Ranks
Isan’s background gives his story an unusual international dimension.
Although originally from Ghana, he has established his life in Russia and now serves in a Russian military unit as a volunteer. His wife and daughter also live with him in Russia.
His participation comes as Moscow continues recruiting volunteers and foreign nationals with ties to Russia for military service.
Russian authorities have promoted the participation of people from different backgrounds as part of the broader mobilization of personnel for the conflict.
Previous Comments on His Decision to Fight
Isan had previously spoken to TASS about why he chose to serve in the Russian army.
On that occasion, he said some people join Russian forces because they want to fight what he described as “modern-day Nazism” in Ukraine.
That characterization mirrors language frequently used by Russian officials to justify the military operation. Ukraine and its Western allies reject Moscow’s characterization of the war and have repeatedly condemned Russia’s invasion.
Isan’s latest remarks nevertheless provide a personal account of how one Russian volunteer views the conflict and the objectives he believes he is serving.
