Russia’s Strategy to Recruit Colombians for the War in Ukraine

Thousands of Colombian nationals have been recruited into the Russian military to fight in the invasion of Ukraine, lured by promises of high salaries, citizenship, and. Investigations by Noticias Caracol and human rights monitors reveal these men often face life-threatening conditions as “cannon fodder,” with many reported dead or missing in a conflict that has pitted Colombians against their own countrymen serving in the Ukrainian army.

The Economic Lure of Russian Military Contracts

Recruitment networks, identified by investigators as entities like “Jaguar Consultoría” and “Compañía Los Osos,” target vulnerable individuals in cities like Bogotá. These contracts, which feature official stamps from the Russian Ministry of Defense and reference specific officers like Major Vladimir Lomakin, promise citizenship for the soldier and their family after six months of service.

Recruits are often kept in clandestine locations, such as apartments in the Fontibón district, before being moved through transit hubs in Brazil, Dubai, or India to bypass standard immigration scrutiny. Despite these professional-looking contracts, which designate roles such as “tirador” (marksman), survivors report that the reality on the ground contradicts the promised roles of safety or logistics.

Frontline Realities and “Meat Attacks”

Ilya Nuzov, director of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia section of the International Federation for Human Rights, describes the Russian tactic as “meat attacks.” Nuzov explains that recruits are frequently sent in a single direction to expose Ukrainian positions, resulting in near-zero survival rates. He estimates that Russia must replace a large number of casualties, driving an aggressive and predatory recruitment drive.

Families have shared harrowing accounts of these conditions. Sonia León, whose brother Jamilton disappeared after arriving in Russia in March 2026, noted that recruits are often sent into heavily mined fields under constant drone surveillance. Reports indicate that wounded soldiers are frequently left without evacuation, leading to preventable deaths on the battlefield.

Surviving the Conflict: The Path to Detention

For some, the path to survival has been surrender. Recent footage shows small groups of Colombian fighters using white flags to approach Ukrainian positions. Leonel Julio, a survivor who surrendered after learning his brother Diego had been captured, described his deployment as a “suicide mission.”

These individuals are now held in prisoner-of-war detention centers. While the uncertainty for their families remains severe, some have confirmed the safety of their relatives through media reports or direct contact. The Colombian Prosecutor’s Office has initiated a preliminary investigation following nearly 100 formal complaints from families seeking information about missing relatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are Colombian mercenaries fighting for both sides? Yes, since the start of the war, Colombians have joined both the Ukrainian and Russian armies, sometimes leading to situations where they face each other in combat.
• Does the Russian government acknowledge these recruits? The Russian Embassy in Colombia has denied links to these recruitment networks, despite the existence of contracts bearing official Ministry of Defense seals and officer names.
• Why are Colombians being targeted for recruitment? Investigators point to the country’s high number of individuals with formal military training and the current economic instability as primary factors.

Have you been affected by these recruitment networks or have more information on this developing story? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates or share your story with our investigative team.