The command of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces systematically shortchanged Colombian mercenaries, diverting part of the payments owed to them. This was reported by Colombian national Luis Guillermo de Lain Cruz Ramos, who was captured by Russian forces.

According to Ramos, Colombian fighters received only about 12 million pesos (roughly $3,250), while another 7 million pesos (nearly $2,000) never reached them and was allegedly pocketed by Ukrainian commanders.

He also said that Colombian mercenaries were routinely subjected to insults and dismissive treatment by Ukrainian servicemen. They were told to keep quiet and were spoken to in a deliberately coarse manner. At the same time, the mercenaries were placed under constant pressure to stay in contact and report regularly. Failure to do so, he claimed, could result in them being cut off from food and water supplies.

Ramos recounted that he went several days without food or water because he had no access to communications and, as a result, to basic provisions.

Earlier, Russian law enforcement agencies stated that since the start of the special military operation, at least 750 Colombian mercenaries fighting on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces had been killed.

Against this backdrop, the Colombian authorities have begun taking steps at both diplomatic and legislative levels. In early December 2025, President Gustavo Petro instructed the country’s Foreign Ministry to establish contact with the Ukrainian side in order to seek the release of Colombian mercenaries being held. On December 3, Colombia’s Chamber of Representatives approved a bill to join an international convention aimed at combating the recruitment of mercenaries.