Malaysian fighting in Ukraine injured in drone strike but still alive

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian man who is fighting in the war between Ukraine and Russia has been injured but remains alive, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

The Inspector-General of Police said intelligence gathered showed that the 20-year-old man from Kedah was injured by shrapnel from a Russian drone strike in October.

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He said intelligence indicated that he applied online to join the Ukrainian army.

“He had an interest in the military and (was offered) a salary of between US$400 (RM1,749) and US$2,700 (RM11,807), based on the level of danger in the war zone.

“We also believe he distanced himself from his family and searched for jobs overseas,” he said on Monday (Nov 4).

Razarudin said the man had lost his MyKad and Malaysian driving license while trying to save himself during the Russian drone strike.

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“However, he still has his passport. He completed his A-Levels at a private college in Petaling Jaya and has no social media presence.

“Instead, he was focused on online gaming, especially war-based games,” he said.

The IGP had said previously said police were verifying claims that a Malaysian identity card and driving licence were found in Levadne in Zaporizhia, Ukraine.

The documents were reportedly found after Russian forces took a Ukrainian position in Levadne.