Russian Diplomat Thousands of Foreign Mercenaries Fought for Ukraine

(MENAFN) More than 20,000 foreign fighters have reportedly joined Ukraine’s military in its conflict with Russia, though the actual figure may be higher, Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik stated, as reported by news outlets.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that non-Ukrainians serving in the country’s armed forces will be considered mercenaries, who are not entitled to Geneva Convention protections normally granted to combatants.

“According to estimates by our Defense Ministry, the number of mercenaries who have gone through the ‘meat grinder’ reaches about 20,000 people,” Miroshnik said, adding that the actual number could be even greater since “the Ukrainian side is making every effort to ‘hide’ these people.”

He noted that last month, Ukraine officially disbanded four foreign legions previously incorporated into its armed forces.

“They have now been dispersed among other units of the Ukrainian armed forces,” Miroshnik said.

Earlier statements from Miroshnik indicated that most foreign fighters come from Latin American countries—especially Colombia—as well as Poland and the Baltic states.

Ukraine reportedly eased recruitment rules for foreigners last year in an effort to offset frontline losses amid widespread draft evasion and desertions. According to Vasily Prozorov, a former employee of Ukraine’s SBU, roughly 10,000 foreign mercenaries had been killed while fighting for Ukraine as of December last year.

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