3rd Filipino fighting for Russia killed–Ukraine Intelligence
Another Filipino recruited to the Russian military was killed in eastern Ukraine in July, bringing to at least three the number of Philippine nationals reported killed while serving Russian forces, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) identified the latest reported casualty on Thursday as Malambahe Sabtar Sabanal, 39, from Labason, Zamboanga del Norte.
Ukrainian intelligence previously reported the deaths of two other Filipinos, including a man identified as John Patrick in January and one Jeric Jumadil Undol in August.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it was still validating these claims by Ukrainian intelligence, which also reported other Filipinos recruited by Russian forces.
Messages, photographs
DIU said Sabanal signed a one-year contract with the Russian military on June 16 in Ryazan, Russia, and underwent about a week and a half of firearms training before being deployed to the front lines in Ukraine.
He was killed during assault operations near Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region in July, the agency said, although these claims could not be independently verified.
According to DIU, Sabanal’s recruitment was processed by a Russian military officer identified as Lt. V. Romanov.
The agency also released what it described as correspondence between Sabanal and another fighter believed to be a Filipino serving with Russian forces.
In a message dated July 28, Sabanal reportedly described repeated Ukrainian drone attacks and the death of a fellow serviceman.
Ukrainian intelligence also published photographs purportedly showing Sabanal with other foreign fighters whom it believed could be Philippine nationals.
The latest report comes amid earlier warnings from Philippine authorities about the recruitment of Filipinos into foreign armed conflicts, including Russia’s war on Ukraine.
In February, AFP Public Affairs Group spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said some Filipinos had been offered civilian jobs abroad only to find themselves deployed to combat areas.
He urged Filipinos seeking employment abroad to deal only with licensed recruitment agencies and remain wary of job offers that appeared too good to be true.
PH support for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier thanked President Marcos for the Philippines’ support for Ukraine after Manila voted in 2022 for a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion.
In June 2024, Zelenskyy made a brief and sudden trip to Manila and met with President Marcos in a bid to urge more countries to take part in a peace summit in Switzerland at that time. The summit was attended by then Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr.
