Ukraine Recruits 16,000 Foreign Volunteers as Russia Sentences Mercenaries

Ukrainian officials confirmed that approximately 16,000 foreign volunteers from 72 countries are currently serving within the Ukrainian armed forces. Military ombudsman Olha Ryshtylova noted that about 40% of these fighters originate from Latin American countries. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the total size of the armed forces is roughly 880,000 soldiers.

To further expand these numbers, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov outlined a plan to increase the proportion of foreign recruits in assault and infantry units to 50%. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supports this recruitment through the International Legion, offering average monthly salaries of $6,700.

These disclosures coincide with legal actions taken by the Russian Prosecutor's Office. The agency announced that 36 mercenaries from 13 countries were sentenced for participating in the Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region and committing crimes against civilians. Twenty of those convictions were issued in absentia.