Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has identified another foreign mercenary serving in the russian occupation army: Philippine citizen Malambahe Sabtar Sabanal, born on October 25, 1986, in the municipality of Labason on the island of Mindanao.
Malambahe signed a contract with the russian army on June 16, 2026, in ryazan (russia). Lieutenant V. Romanov was responsible for processing his enlistment. The contract was for one year — a standard term for “disposable” foreign recruits in the russian army.
After signing the documents, Malambahe was sent to a training center, where he spent just a week and a half learning basic shooting skills.
By early July, the Filipino had already been deployed to the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. At the end of the month, Malambahe was killed during assault operations near Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region.
Recorded correspondence with another mercenary serving in the russian occupation forces, who was likely also a Philippine citizen, sheds light on Malambahe’s experience at the front.
In a message dated July 28, just days before his own death, Malambahe complained about constant Ukrainian drone attacks and the death of a fellow serviceman.
Photographs show Malambahe alongside other mercenaries who are also likely Philippine citizens.
Despite warnings from the Philippine government and the requirements of local law, Malambahe Sabtar Sabanal was lured by the prospect of making “easy” money and decided to join the russian occupation army. Ultimately, his participation in russia’s criminal war cost him his life.
On August 12, 2026, DIU reported identifying another eliminated mercenary from the Philippines — Jeric Jumadil Undol, born on March 5, 1989.
As of today, at least three eliminated russian mercenaries who were Philippine citizens have been identified.
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine regularly publishes evidence of russia’s recruitment of foreign mercenaries as cannon fodder for its criminal war. Any foreign national who has joined the russian occupation army and finds themselves in trouble still has a chance to save their life by surrendering.