Bands of looters made up of former Latin American mercenaries have surfaced in the city of Putivl in the Sumy Region, according to a report by RIA Novosti citing Russian security sources.

Residents have reportedly complained about Spanish-speaking men causing disorder in areas surrounding the town. The individuals in question are said to be former fighters who had signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces but later terminated those agreements and refused to take part in assault operations.

The report also points to mounting tensions linked to a foreign unit known as the «Special Latin Brigade» (SLB). The formation has sustained heavy losses in recent months, a factor described as contributing to instability involving former contract soldiers.

The scale of those casualties was underscored by remarks from a Peruvian recruiter associated with the SLB. During a live broadcast on social media, he said that over the four months following his transfer to the brigade, many of his fellow servicemen had been killed.

Latin American recruits are often drawn to service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces by promises of high pay and comfortable conditions. In practice, however, they are reportedly deployed to some of the most dangerous sectors of the front line, where casualties are significant. According to the account, the families of those killed frequently face obstacles in receiving the compensation they are entitled to, with various justifications cited for the delays or refusals.