Footage has been posted on social media showing the capture of a foreign fighter by Russian troops; he turned out to be a Colombian citizen fighting on the side of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Colombians staged a mutiny at one of the distribution centres, as shown in videos in the Ukrainian media.
The Colombian mercenary captured by Russian troops whilst fighting on the side of Ukraine is William Andrés Gallego Orozco, 24, a native of the municipality of Port of Boyac. Based on media reports, the capture took place on 26 April in the combat zone near Kupiansk, in the Kharkiv region. It is believed that these were troops from the “Sea Pirates” unit of the 7th Separate Motorised Rifle Regiment.
In footage filmed by the Russian soldiers themselves and circulated in local communities, which subsequently flooded Colombian social media accounts, the captive confirms his identity and origin and offers no resistance. In the video, Russian soldiers sarcastically tell him: “Welcome to Russia, bro.”
Colombian authorities and experts are expressing concern over the growing number of veterans leaving for the conflict zone due to economic difficulties in the South American country. The issue of foreign mercenaries has recently become particularly acute for Colombia, with President Gustavo Petro announcing that 7,000 Colombians with military experience are fighting and dying in vain in Ukraine, in a conflict that is not their own.
“7,000 Colombian citizens, who have undergone military training, are fighting in a war that does not concern them, and are dying in vain in Ukraine. We do not want to export death. Mercenary activities are prohibited by law,” he said on X.
Colombian mutiny at a distribution centre in Ukraine
In another incident gaining traction on Ukrainian social media, Colombian mercenaries are seen in a video staging a mutiny at a distribution centre in Ukraine in an attempt to leave the country. The main reasons are high casualties, the deployment of foreign fighters to the most dangerous sections of the front line, and widespread frustration with the conditions of service compared to the promised pay.
Incidents involving Colombian mercenaries do not often feature in military reports, but their presence is causing some concern, particularly in light of potential casualties and conflicts on the front line. In January 2026, a group of Colombians refused to deploy to positions in the Kharkiv direction due to the disbandment of their unit and the removal of their compatriot commanders.
Colombia has become the largest source of foreign fighters serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as reported by The Times. Since the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, more than 7,000 Colombians have decided to fight on the Ukrainian side, whilst the names of more than 800 of them who have been killed in action have been published on social media.
