Captured Colombian fighter exposes Russian recruitment fraud

Captured Colombian fighter exposes Russian recruitment fraud

Fighters of the 63rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Army reported on May 29, 2026, the capture of a Colombian citizen named Jose, who was fighting in the ranks of the Russian army. According to reports, which were also widely publicized by the Николаевский Ванёк and БУТУСОВ ПЛЮС channels, the prisoner claims he was promised an employment contract as a "rear vehicle mechanic," but in practice, was sent by the Russian command directly to dangerous assault missions on the front line.

In the documentation of the interaction with the prisoner, which was distributed by ЗСУ ДВІЖ, Jose describes humiliating treatment by his Russian commanders and claims that "the Russians treated us like rats." He added that the experience of encountering Ukrainian drones was the turning point that convinced him to surrender immediately without resistance.

The report, which received widespread exposure on social networks, is also highlighted by the Реальна Війна channel – a channel that presents a distinctly pro-Ukrainian position – which emphasizes the deceptive practices of the Russian army in recruiting foreign mercenaries. Additional channels, including ⚔️БРАТЧУК and АТАСМS - УКРАЇНА 🇺🇦, disseminated the story as further evidence of the manpower crisis in the occupying army and the use of foreign fighters who fell victim to false promises.