Ukraine’s military force, which is struggling to save its lands from Russian occupation, is exhausted due to the war that is about to complete its second year.
Ukraine, whose clash with Russia’s “war machine” has turned into one of the world’s longest-running conflicts, is welcoming foreign fighters for the fight.
Colombian professional soldiers are among the volunteers who went to the front from all over the world, responding to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s call for foreign fighters.
News Agency AP, speaking with Colombian soldiers, analyzed the situation in Ukraine.
Checho, 32, from the central Colombian city of Medellin, is one of the injured being treated at a military hospital in Ukraine.
The young fighter, who used his front-line name out of fear for his and his family’s safety, was injured while trying to save a colleague injured in three days of fierce fighting with Russian forces; Shrapnel from the thrown grenade pierced his jawbone.
“I thought I was going to die. We stood up and decided to flee the position to save our lives. There was nowhere to hide,” Checho said. he said.
About 50 Colombian soldiers injured like Checho were treated in a hospital in Ukraine and returned to their duties at the front.
“They are motivated by economic need.”
Hector Bernal, a former army medic who said he trained more than 20 Colombians who went to fight in Ukraine, compared Colombian mercenaries to Latin American immigrants who went to the United States in search of a better future.
Bernal expressed his opinion by saying, “These are not volunteers who want to defend the flag of another country. They are motivated only by economic need.” he explained.
Colombia has the second largest army in Latin America after Brazil, with an army of 250 thousand people. Experts point out that although the army has highly trained personnel, wages are not good compared to other armies.
Hundreds of soldiers go to fight in Ukraine, earning four times or more than experienced non-commissioned officers in Colombia.
How much salary does Ukraine pay mercenaries?
In Colombia, generals are paid almost as much as a minister. While generals receive salaries and bonuses of approximately $6,000 a month, lower-ranking officers live on a much more modest income.
For example, in Colombia, corporals earn a base salary of about $400 a month, while experienced drill sergeants can earn up to $900. The monthly minimum wage in the country is currently $330.
Any member of the armed forces in Ukraine, regardless of citizenship, is entitled to a monthly salary of up to $3,300, depending on his rank and type of service. Additionally, if they are injured, they are entitled to receive a salary of up to $28,660, depending on the severity of their injuries. If they are killed in the conflict, compensation of 400 thousand dollars is paid to their families.
A Colombian mercenary injured fighting against Russia and receiving treatment in a hospital in UkraineEfrem Lukatsky/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reservedIn Colombia, news of recruitment into the Ukrainian army spreads mostly through social media. But when things go wrong, it is very difficult for relatives to get information about their loved ones.
The warrior profile is changing in the Ukrainian army
To help support the conflict, which has reached a stalemate after two years, Ukraine has expanded the system allowing foreigners to join the army.
According to the information provided by the authorities, 20 thousand people from 52 countries went to fight in Ukraine in early 2022. Now, in keeping with the secrecy surrounding military numbers, officials won’t say how many are on the battlefield, but say the profile of fighters has changed.
The first waves of volunteers mostly came from former Soviet countries or English-speaking countries, as speaking Russian or English made it easier for them to integrate into the Ukrainian army.
Last year, the army developed an infrastructure of Spanish-speaking recruiters, instructors and junior operational officers, according to Oleksandr Shahuri, official of the Department for Coordination of Foreigners in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The situation of Colombian retired soldiers
The Colombian army has been fighting drug trafficking cartels and rebel groups for decades, making Colombian soldiers known as some of the most experienced soldiers in the world.
More than 10 thousand soldiers retire from the Colombian army every year. Veterans began going overseas in the early 2000s to work for the United States maintaining infrastructure, including oil wells in Iraq.
Colombian veterans have also been hired as instructors in the United Arab Emirates and have joined the war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Colombia’s role as a recruiting ground for the global security industry also has a dark side. For example, two Colombians accused of participating in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise were killed and 18 were arrested.
