A Ukrainian seafarer who has been missing for almost two months has stoked fresh fears that another foreigner may have been abducted or assassinated in Kenya in mysterious circumstances.

Ukraine is embroiled in bitter territorial war with Russia since February 2022 and the conflict puts at risk the lives of Ukrainians anywhere in the world.

In Kenya, the unknown whereabouts of seafarer Yegor Zadorozhniy is expected to raise fresh concerns about the safety of foreigners in the East Africa nation following earlier mysterious disappearances South Sudan and Turkish diplomats and the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye.

In an emailed inquiry to Tell Media by Ukrainian seafarers representative and Yegor Zadorozhniy’s partner, Yuliia Bezzubchenko, says: “I am writing to respectfully ask for your assistance in publicising the disappearance of a Ukrainian seafarer, Mr Yegor Zadorozhniy, in the hope that someone in Kenya, particularly along the coastal region, may have seen him or may have information that could help locate him.”

The email explains, “Yegor Zadorozhniy is a 28-year-old Ukrainian citizen and the Second Officer of the merchant vessel M/V AETOS. He disappeared on 5 July 2026 while the vessel was transiting the northern part of the Mozambique Channel during a voyage from Brazil to Oman.”

According to international specialists in maritime drift modelling, there is a possibility that he may have drifted towards the East African coastline, including Kenya, or may have been encountered or rescued by fishermen, coastal communities or vessels operating in the region.

“I would be sincerely grateful if Tell Media could consider publishing Yegor’s story and photographs through your news platform and social media channels in order to bring this information to a wider Kenyan audience,” the email reads. “If possible, I would also greatly appreciate it if the appeal could be shared with journalists, local media contacts or correspondents covering Mombasa and Kenya’s coastal counties.”

According to the mail, Yegor is aged 28, nationality: Ukrainian; height: 181 centimetres and of athletic build. He has dark hair and brown eyes. Last known clothing was a T-shirt of unknown colour, black shorts and black sneakers.

“I am attaching two recent photographs of Yegor for identification purposes, together with the official notification from the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration (SMSA) concerning his disappearance,” Yuliia writes.

Kenyan maritime and governmental authorities have also been contacted as part of the ongoing search. However, wider public awareness through the media and social networks may help reach someone who has relevant information.

Yuliia appealed to Kenyan media and police to support the Ukrainian’s family in the search for the missing seafarer by providing leads via his email: yuliabezz@icloud.com.

Should Tell Media Kenya be able to publish or share this appeal, our family would be deeply grateful.

“Should any journalist, reader or member of the public provide information that may be relevant, I would sincerely appreciate it if you could kindly inform me.

• A Tell Media report / By Special Correspondent