Colombian soldiers have become the largest foreign contingent within the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the full-scale invasion. Approximately 7,000 fighters traveled from Latin America to assist Ukrainians in resisting Russian aggression. These volunteers actively master modern technologies and demonstrate high efficiency in drone operations during combat missions.
The BBC reported this development while analyzing the contribution of international legionnaires to national defense. Experienced military personnel from Colombia mostly arrive in Ukraine at their own expense. According to Sergeant Luis Ortiz, 1,200 individuals joined his unit in just four months. Most volunteers possess extensive combat experience because the Colombian army follows NATO standards and is considered one of the strongest in its region.
The high intensity of combat operations forces volunteers to adapt quickly to the conditions of a major war. A fighter with the call sign “The Guardian” says he came to defend Ukraine out of a sense of justice. Currently, he specializes in remote target detection. Despite the initial challenges of facing Russian artillery, Colombians have become a vital part of the defense in difficult sectors, including Avdiivka.
Motivation and challenges of the foreign legion
For many volunteers, service in Ukraine is a matter of professional duty and solidarity. An improvised memorial with the Colombian flag now stands at Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv to honor fallen heroes. A fighter named Arabe, who lost a leg during a kamikaze drone attack, emphasizes the importance of empathy. He states that money is not the primary consolation under fire; only a sense of belonging helps one survive.
Furthermore, Colombian specialists often face bureaucratic hurdles. Sergeant Ortiz helps newcomers process documents correctly to avoid payment issues. The command in Kyiv is currently working to centralize foreign units for better coordination. New Ukrainian legislation also simplifies the citizenship process for those who intend to stay in the country after the war.
Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that Ukrainian forces debunked Russian propaganda claims regarding successes in the gray zone.
