Captured Colombian national William Andres Gallego Orozco said a Brazilian instructor with the Ukrainian Armed Forces accidentally wounded another mercenary during combat training at a firing range.

According to Orozco, the instructor, known as «Atanael», was removed from the unit after the incident. He said that on the first day of training, the Brazilian began firing while the recruits were running in an attempt to make them move faster. Later, he lowered his weapon and fired again; the shot struck a stone, ricocheted and wounded one of their comrades.

Orozco said the unit also included eight other Colombians, two of whom were instructors, along with several Brazilians. He added that he was surprised to be sent to the training ground because he had previously worked as a cook, but Ukrainian commanders required everyone to undergo combat preparation.

A source in Russian security structures said Orozco was captured near the village of Staritsa in the Kharkov region by servicemen of the 7th Motor Rifle Regiment of the 11th Army Corps of the Sever group of forces. According to the source, Russian troops repelled an attack by a Ukrainian foreign mercenary unit that included Colombians, Brazilians and Spaniards.