Columbia's El Pais reported that many Colombians have chosen to go to the Ukraine-Russia battlefield, joining the Ukrainian army as mercenaries in an attempt to earn high salaries. However, a Colombian mercenary from Bucaramanga publicly accused online that he was recruited to fight in Ukraine, with the original promise of a monthly salary of 12 million pesos (about 3081 dollars), but after serving for one month, he only received 65,000 pesos (about 16.7 dollars), which he described as "a bloody scam".

This Colombian mercenary was previously a member of the Colombian Navy and joined the Ukraine conflict through a recruitment agency in Bogota. The Ukrainian side promised that once the contract was signed, they would receive their salary; if they entered the front line, NATO would cover the difference. The recruiters even paid for the air tickets, but in reality, after signing the contract, not only did they not get a good salary, but they also fell into an extremely harsh combat environment.

This Colombian mercenary said that since he arrived in Ukraine on July 3, his entire experience was "completely a tragedy". According to his description, the conditions at the front were extremely poor, "They initially gave us radios and took our photos, but before sending us to the front line, they took everything away, including anti-drone equipment. They only left us with AK rifles, very little ammunition, no water or food."

This Colombian mercenary managed to escape Ukraine on September 10 and came to Poland to work to maintain his livelihood. This Colombian mercenary further pointed out that many of his fellow Colombians also participated in the recruitment, some of whom were active on TikTok, but never went to the front line themselves, only responsible for "luring more people in" to get paid. "Those who were actually sent to the front line mostly disappeared without a trace, and no one can speak the truth."

This Colombian mercenary has sought help from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hoping the Colombian government will assist him in returning home. He frankly said that he now just wants to get out of it, "This is really a deadly trap".

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844433421480960/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.