Around 16,000 foreign volunteers are serving in Ukraine’s armed forces, and nearly 40 percent are citizens of Latin American countries.
Around 16,000 foreign volunteers from at least 72 countries are currently serving in Ukraine’s armed forces, and nearly 40 percent are citizens of Latin American countries.
Ukraine’s Office of the Military Ombudsman, the body responsible for protecting the rights of armed forces personnel, has received more than 300 complaints since it began operating in January.
The submissions came from foreign service members, their relatives, and authorized representatives.
Some issues involved access to food and equipment, medical care, combatant status, and requests for early termination of military contracts.
Other cases concerned compensation and one-time financial assistance, including payments to the families of personnel killed in service.
Fighters of the territorial defense unit, a support force of the regular Ukrainian army, take part in an exercise for the regular combat tactics classes, June 2022. Photo: Sergei Supinsky/AFP
Foreign Contingent
Reports published last year identified Colombia as one of the largest sources of overseas recruits.
Colombian fighters have served in several Ukrainian formations, including an assault unit within the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
The unit was reported to consist mainly of Colombians alongside personnel from Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Peru, and Zimbabwe.
Military experience and financial considerations are among the main factors attracting Colombian recruits.
Many had previously served in their national armed forces and saw Ukraine as an opportunity to continue working in the military while earning higher salaries.
Foreign recruits reportedly often sign six-month contracts and can receive approximately $3,000 to $4,000 per month, depending on their role and combat deployment.
Foreign recruits have the same rights, pay, and social benefits as Ukrainian service members and face the same dangers on the battlefield.
They may terminate their contracts after completing six months of service, but not while deployed on a combat mission.
At least 348 Colombians are estimated to have been killed in combat in Ukraine, according to reports published last year.
