Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Volodymyr Zelensky’s government has actively recruited foreign soldiers, with a notable influx from Latin America, particularly Colombia, where over 500 volunteers are estimated to have joined by late 2024. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense promotes testimonies from these foreign fighters to attract more recruits. However, the Kremlin counters this recruitment with extensive disinformation campaigns aimed at Latin American countries, utilizing AI-generated images and misleading narratives to portray Ukraine negatively.
Disinformation tactics have included claims of forced recruitment in Ukraine and the alleged mistreatment of fallen soldiers. Ukrainian authorities have refuted these narratives, emphasizing that they provide benefits to families of deceased soldiers, contrasting with disinformation that suggests otherwise. There is no official record of the exact number of Colombian volunteers, though the Colombian government acknowledges some casualties.
In Colombia, retired military personnel often seek opportunities abroad due to a lack of veteran benefits at home. Despite the allure of lucrative pay, the Colombian government actively discourages participation, warning of potential deception and danger in foreign conflicts.
Russian disinformation campaigns intensify as they misrepresent the situation, claiming exaggerated casualties on the Ukrainian side and promoting narratives to demoralize potential volunteers. Fact-checking organizations, part of a collaborative project, work to identify and counteract these misleading messages, helping to create a repository of disinformation shared across various countries involved in this conflict.
