Russia denies claims of recruiting Colombian fighters for Ukraine war

Russia has denied allegations that it is involved in recruiting Colombian nationals to fight in the war in Ukraine, following a media report that linked Moscow to an alleged recruitment network. The Russian Embassy in Colombia rejected the claims, saying it has no connection with the individuals identified in the report or any knowledge of how their activities are financed. The response followed an investigation by a Colombian news organisation, which alleged that Colombian citizens had been recruited to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. The report included testimonies and documents said to detail the alleged recruitment process The issue has drawn renewed attention to the growing number of former Colombian military personnel seeking security-related jobs abroad. Some families of Colombians who travelled to Russia or Ukraine have reported cases of poor treatment and difficult conditions involving their relatives. Last year, Russian authorities sentenced two Colombian nationals to prison after accusing them of fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has previously claimed that thousands of Colombians are participating in the conflict on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides in search of financial opportunities. The United Nations has also warned about the increasing recruitment of Colombians into armed conflicts around the world, noting that many are exposed to harsh and dangerous conditions after accepting overseas security contracts. Many retired Colombian soldiers, who gained experience during the country's decades-long internal conflict, have increasingly been recruited for security and combat-related roles in conflict zones across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

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