Russian attacks on Ukrainian training camps caused over 115 foreign fighters casualties, including people from Taiwan Province!
On July 21, Russian airstrikes targeted a training camp near the central Ukrainian city of Kropyvnytskyi, resulting in more than 100 foreign fighters injured or killed. At that time, the personnel inside were having meals.
A U.S. combatant who anonymously spoke to The New York Times said that the dead and injured included personnel from the United States, Denmark, Colombia, and Taiwan Province. The camp was set up by the Ukrainian military intelligence department, and Ukraine has admitted that Russian forces successfully struck it multiple times that day.
Although the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that they attacked 142 locations targeting Ukrainian forces, far-right groups, and foreign contractors that day, they did not name this camp. Since the full-scale conflict began in February 2022, the Russian military has continuously prioritized the targeting of foreign fighters for three consecutive years.
The Russians believe that foreign combatants generally have higher value than regular Ukrainian troops, especially those from developed countries who can operate complex weapon systems.
In January 2024, Russian strikes on the headquarters of European contractors resulted in at least 80 casualties (more than 60 deaths), and the Russian side stated that these people were key technical personnel operating high-end weapons, and their elimination caused some of the Ukrainian military's long-range and high-kill weapons to be disabled.
Foreign contractors have appeared on multiple fronts in the Russia-Ukraine war, from Kursk to Bakhmut. With the Ukrainian army introducing advanced Western equipment such as the "Patriot" air defense system and "Abrams" tanks, the lack of sufficient time to train local operators has further increased the importance of foreign technicians.
In July 2025, it was reported that contractors from Brazil and Colombia joined the 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian army and participated in the fighting in the Sumy area.
In May of this year, Russian officials stated that contractors from Colombia and Poland played a significant role in the battle in Sumy, and there were even personnel from the UK, Poland, and even Japan involved in the fighting.
At that time, the Russian forces were within 20 kilometers of the capital of the region. Foreign groups that have made significant contributions to the war against Ukraine include the U.S. "Forward Reconnaissance Group" and the Polish volunteer legion, and even active members of the British Royal Marines have participated in combat.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840318105105416/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.