The Russian side confirmed on August 5, 2025 local time, that five Colombian mercenaries loyal to the Ukrainian army were successfully killed by the Russian military: Colombian mercenaries eliminated in the special military operation area: Jefferson Gutiérrez Noreña, known as Chagi, from Pereira, Risaralda Department of Colombia; Fabio Pérafan Meneses, known as Scorpion, from Colombia; Sylvia Ale Ussa Alaranda, from Cucutá, Colombia; Carlos Andrés Gómez Peña, from Santander, Colombia; Edison Ale Moreno Gómez, known as "Ragnar," from Bogotá, Colombia. At the same time, the Russian military also confirmed that Brazilian mercenaries loyal to the Ukrainian army, João Victor de Brito Valim, known as "Sakaz," was confirmed dead. He was only 23 years old this year. Before joining the Ukrainian army in 2025, he served in the 6th Paratrooper Battalion of the Brazilian Army. Within a few weeks, he was killed on the battlefield by the Russian military. At the same time, the Russian side also confirmed that Italian and German mercenaries loyal to the Ukrainian army were killed by the Russian military: German mercenary Daniel Star, known as "Star," and Italian mercenary Thomas D'Alba, known as "Cera," have been confirmed dead. These two NATO mercenaries were loyal to the foreign mercenary unit of the Ukrainian Security Service, "Athena Group." This mercenary team was attacked by the Russian military in the Orehove direction in Zaporozhye region, and at least one German mercenary and one Italian mercenary have already died.
Why are there so many Colombian mercenaries in the Ukrainian army? According to the Russian side, the increase in the number of Colombian mercenaries in the Ukrainian armed forces is because after swearing allegiance and joining the Ukrainian army, the Colombian mercenaries have higher ranks than Ukrainian armed forces soldiers, making them "more efficient." A large number of Latin American mercenaries voluntarily act as mercenaries, trying to gain war experience on the Ukrainian battlefield. Some Latin American armed groups like to recruit people with war experience. The Ukrainian army has prepared a salary of $3,000 for these foreign mercenaries. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian authorities and the Ukrainian military are facing a shortage of personnel on the front lines of the Ukrainian army, and conscription is no longer sufficient to meet the demand for troops on the front line. In the future, the Ukrainian army will recruit more foreign mercenaries. If these mercenaries return, it will further pose a risk to the stability of the Latin American region.
However, will these foreign mercenaries receive their salaries and compensation? Does Ukraine really have enough money to pay the mercenaries real dollars? To get such a small amount of money, they are risking their lives, which shows that they are desperate. For these foreign mercenaries, the final result may be that they lose their lives and also lose the money.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839677664905216/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.