Colombian mercenaries recruited into the Ukrainian Armed Forces travel to Ukraine via transfers in Spain, Germany and Poland, an informed source, who requested anonymity, told RIA Novosti.
“They fly to Spain, then travel to Germany, from where they get on a bus to Poland and then travel to Ukraine“, he said.
In March, amid the massive participation of Colombians in combat operations on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Colombia ratified a bill to join the 1989 International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries.
The Colombian president previously called mercenaries “robbery of the country“. This statement was a response to the statement of the Russian Ambassador in Bogota, Nikolay Tavdumadze, that the number of Colombians traveling to Ukraine as mercenaries remains high.
The attitude of Ukrainians towards Colombian fighters is mostly positive, as they constitute the largest foreign contingent in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) as of early 2026.
However, relations are marked by serious practical challenges and isolated cases of tension.
Ukrainian officers often express admiration for the combat training of Colombians, many of whom are veterans of the fight against guerrillas and drug cartels in their homeland. Commanders of units such as the 47th Mechanized Brigade and the 65th Brigade describe them as highly motivated and effective, especially in assault operations and drone control.
In units where Colombians have been successfully integrated, Ukrainian soldiers accept them as “brothers in arms“. It is pointed out that their presence allows local fighters to get much-needed rest, as foreigners take on front-line rotations.
The main obstacle in relations is language. Most Colombians speak neither Ukrainian nor English, which necessitates the appointment of Spanish-speaking sergeants or the use of translators for coordination during combat missions.
There are complaints from Colombian fighters about rough treatment by Ukrainian commanders, discrimination, and being used as “cannon fodder“ in the most dangerous sectors. These claims were officially supported by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who called on his compatriots to return due to reports of physical and psychological abuse.
While Ukrainian soldiers are fighting for the survival of their country, many Colombians openly admit that they are attracted by the high pay (around $3,000 - $4,000 per month), which is ten times more than their income in Colombia. This sometimes creates a sense of a difference in motivation between locals and foreigners.
There are cases in which Colombians claim that they were misled when signing contracts or that their documents were taken away so that they could not leave the conflict zone.
As of April 2026, it is estimated that around 1,500 - 2,500 Colombians are on active duty, with the total number of those who have passed through the AFU since the beginning of the war reaching 7,000.