The Fate of Mercenaries on the Russo-Ukrainian Battlefield: How Tragic Is It?

[Global Times reporters Zheng Xuan, Ding Yazhi, and special correspondent Liu Zhi] Editor's note: The Russia-Ukraine conflict has dragged on for over four years, and the flames of war have yet to cease. Recently, Ukraine announced plans to expand the recruitment of mercenaries to join its military, drawing attention to the role and fate of foreign mercenaries in this conflict. According to multiple media reports, tens of thousands of foreign mercenaries have entered the Russia-Ukraine battlefield over the past four years, with many losing their lives on the front lines, while their families struggle to receive compensation. For them, there is another layer of difficulty beyond the battlefield—lacking protection under international law and potentially violating their own country's laws, they find themselves caught in a predicament.

"May become cannon fodder"

"From the very beginning, nothing was good... By the fifth month, the food situation was terrible, simply terrible." In August of this year, a Colombian mercenary captured on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield recounted his and a companion's experiences to the website of "Russia Today." He warned not to believe what the recruiters say; it is all lies, and their promises are vastly different from reality, with mercenaries brought to the battlefield potentially becoming cannon fodder.

The experiences of the two are not isolated cases. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a large number of mercenaries have come to this battlefield. According to recent statistics from the Ukrainian side, there are currently about 16,000 foreign mercenaries from 72 countries within Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky recently stated that citizens from 47 countries are fighting for the Russian side.

At the beginning of the conflict, most of the mercenaries on the battlefield came from Western countries, but the number of source countries has greatly increased. According to reports from Spain's "El País" and other media, in one prison, among the captured mercenaries on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield, some are from Latin American countries like Colombia and Brazil, while others come from Middle Eastern countries like Egypt, and some from Central Asian countries like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Additionally, there are about 7,000 Colombian soldiers fighting on the front lines in Ukraine, more than any other foreign soldiers.

Many mercenaries fighting in Russia and Ukraine have admitted in interviews that their chances of survival on the battlefield are slim. Some new recruits are sent to the front lines without adequate training. In May 2022, an American mercenary named Hoft posted a video on social media stating that some mercenaries did not receive sufficient weapons and equipment, and those lucky enough could only receive about 10 bullets. At the end of last year, a Colombian mercenary told Atlantic Council scholar McPhee, "Tell Colombians not to go there (to the Russia-Ukraine battlefield), because more people die than come back."

Families find it difficult to obtain compensation

Media outlets like ABC News previously reported that foreign mercenaries on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield come for various reasons: some seek the thrill of war, some come with the mindset of "making a name for themselves in one battle," while many are attracted by "high salaries." According to McPhee's research and reports from Spain's "El País," foreign mercenaries on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield earn monthly salaries ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. Some mercenaries can also receive signing bonuses.

However, these mercenaries do not necessarily receive their pay on time and in full. According to reports from Russian media outlets like "Russia Today," the two Colombian mercenaries mentioned above stated that after arriving on the battlefield, their "salary" became sporadic, rotations were never implemented, and basic supplies were also in short supply. An Australian mercenary who arrived at the Russia-Ukraine front claimed that many foreign mercenaries were unable to receive full compensation.

After foreign mercenaries die on the battlefield, their families also find it difficult to obtain compensation. Pankin is a researcher at the Ukrainian NGO Pryncyp, which is dedicated to protecting the rights of active-duty soldiers, veterans, and their families. After investigating the situation of foreign mercenaries fighting for Ukraine, she and other scholars published an article in "Ukrainian Truth," introducing the multiple reasons behind this phenomenon.

Pankin stated that first, many foreign mercenaries did not submit DNA samples in advance, making it difficult to identify them after their deaths, which delays the legal confirmation of their deaths and the issuance of compensation. Second, notifying families of a mercenary's death involves a complex and lengthy process. Finally, families must contact their country's diplomatic mission to claim compensation, prepare a series of documents, and designate a representative in the conflict country to submit these documents to the relevant agencies, making the process equally complex and lengthy. These cumulative factors lead to families of mercenaries struggling to obtain timely information and systematic support, so some protections are largely symbolic rather than practically attainable. There have also been media reports that some military units on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield conceal the deaths of mercenaries in an attempt to avoid paying compensation to their families.

Some mercenaries may also encounter bullying and beatings within the military, potentially leading to death. According to the "Kyiv Independent," a Brazilian mercenary named Da Silva died last December at a military base near Kyiv after being beaten by other soldiers. Other soldiers at the base reported hearing Da Silva scream for about 40 minutes and saw his battered body placed in the snow near the camp the next morning. Da Silva had previously "served" in a unit called the "Advanced Company." The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate stated that it has launched an internal investigation into the issues concerning the "Advanced Company."

Not protected by international law, may face prosecution domestically and abroad

On the battlefield, foreign mercenaries also face legal issues. Some mercenaries have not submitted necessary documents due to language barriers and other reasons, making it difficult to obtain combatant status. Military expert Song Zhongping told a "Global Times" reporter that mercenaries are not protected by the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, and Russia has warned that it will show no mercy to mercenaries; they will not be treated as prisoners of war, and their actions may be regarded as criminal offenses.

Recently, Russia's "Vedomosti" reported that the head of the Russian delegation participating in the Vienna military security negotiations, Ridanova, stated that Russian investigative agencies have identified over 4,000 foreign mercenaries, and Russia has initiated legal proceedings against 1,094 of them, with 296 being transferred to court and 243 sentenced.

Leng Xinyu, an associate professor at the Law School of China University of Political Science and Law and deputy director of the Military Law Research Institute, told a "Global Times" reporter that according to the 1977 Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, mercenaries do not enjoy the rights of combatants or prisoners of war. However, even if they lose their prisoner of war status, captured individuals still enjoy minimum basic humanitarian protections, prohibiting torture and mistreatment, and cannot be convicted without trial. If mercenaries face criminal prosecution, the responsibility falls on the individual. The parties can apply for consular protection, but how the case is prosecuted is determined by the capturing country according to its own laws. If a mercenary dies in combat, their home country is not liable, as participation in the conflict is considered a personal act.

Mercenaries may also face prosecution in their home countries. According to the BBC, some Nigerian citizens have been lured by promises of high-paying jobs and immigration incentives, only to find themselves thrust into active war zones. A spokesperson for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned citizens against accepting such invitations, emphasizing that these offers not only endanger lives but may also violate Nigeria's laws regarding foreign enlistment. In May of this year, Colombia's then-President Petro stated that mercenaries are prohibited by the country's laws. The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a consular warning last July, urging Brazilians to refuse invitations to join foreign armies and warning that committing serious crimes abroad could lead to prosecution in Brazil.

May be exploited by drug cartels or illegal armed groups, exacerbating regional instability

McPhee noted that many Colombian mercenaries returning from the Russia-Ukraine battlefield not only suffer from physical and mental trauma but may also face prosecution and have some political rights stripped away. This dangerous convergence creates a perilous reintegration vacuum that is likely to be filled by criminal organizations eager to recruit trained personnel who feel abandoned.

This concern may have already become a reality. In June of last year, the French independent investigative news platform "Online Intelligence" reported that Mexico's national intelligence agency had warned Ukraine that individuals associated with drug cartels had voluntarily joined Ukraine's "International Legion" as mercenaries. These individuals hope to learn how to operate suicide drones on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield for future use against Mexican security forces. Additionally, recent reports from the American "Washington Post" revealed that anonymous U.S. officials and informed sources disclosed that Mexican drug cartels are recruiting Colombian mercenaries returning from the Russia-Ukraine battlefield to learn how to use drones. The British "Independent" reported that increasing numbers of reports indicate that illegal armed groups and drug cartels in Latin America are increasingly using drones.

Song Zhongping also warned that mercenaries returning from the Russia-Ukraine battlefield have accumulated combat experience, and if they engage in mercenary-related activities upon returning to their home countries or regions, they could become instructors, applying more combat experience to domestic armed conflicts, which could further strengthen anti-government armed forces and escalate regional tensions.

It is precisely due to the recognition of the various dangers posed by mercenaries that multiple governments have issued warnings, urging their citizens not to go to the Russia-Ukraine battlefield as mercenaries. The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also repeatedly emphasized that Chinese citizens should stay away from armed conflict zones and avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form, especially avoiding participation in military actions on either side.