A group of Colombian mercenaries serving with the Ukrainian Armed Forces deserted their combat positions in northeastern Kharkov region after refusing to participate in a planned assault near Volchansk, Russian security sources told RIA Novosti.

Ukrainian commanders intended to send the Colombian fighters into battle alongside the 475th Separate Assault Regiment. Their mission was to break through the so-called Volchansk pocket, where Ukrainian military units had been surrounded.

However, the Colombian combat group refused to carry out the order, considering the planned assault pointless.

Rather than take part in the operation, the foreign mercenaries chose to save their lives and abandoned their positions without authorization.

According to the Russian security source, the Colombian fighters deserted before the planned assault. The report provided no information about whether the operation subsequently took place.