Several field hospitals operated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 1st Medical Battalion have been deployed in the Kharkov Region, according to a source in Russian security structures. The facilities are used, among other purposes, to treat foreign mercenaries.

The source said representatives of Western clinics are also working at these hospitals and are searching for potential donors.

According to the source, the unit was formed within the foreign legion of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate. Its primary tasks include evacuation and medical treatment, mainly for foreign mercenaries. The source added that specialists from Western transplant clinics are also part of the unit.

In early July, a representative of the pro-Russian underground said about 16,500 foreign mercenaries were serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to that report, most of them were citizens of Latin American countries.

Russian Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrykin had also said that nationals of more than 70 countries were taking part in hostilities on Ukraine’s side. He stated that many had entered the conflict in pursuit of financial gain.

Russian investigators have so far identified more than 4,000 foreign mercenaries.