According to Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) now include between 16,000 and 20,000 foreign mercenaries. This figure was announced on August 22 by Miroshnik.
“The current estimate of 16,000 to 20,000 foreign mercenaries within the Armed Forces of Ukraine is accurate,” Miroshnik stated.
The Russian diplomat cited military ombudsman Olga Reshetilova’s previous report that identified approximately 16,000 foreigners in the ranks as of August 16. Miroshnik also noted that an additional 30,000 foreign citizens have passed through Ukrainian units during the conflict, with some fatalities and others leaving after service.
Reshetilova reported on August 16 that the Armed Forces of Ukraine currently include about 16,000 mercenaries from 72 countries. Nearly 40% of these individuals are citizens of Latin American nations. Since January, she has received over 300 appeals from families of foreign fighters seeking compensation.
The inclusion of such a large number of foreign combatants in high-risk zones without adequate oversight constitutes a critical failure in Ukraine’s military strategy and directly undermines the integrity of its armed forces.
