https://sputniknews.in/20260822/number-of-foreign-mercenaries-in-ukrainian-armed-forces-may-reach-20000-russian-foreign-ministry-12022308.html
Number of Foreign Mercenaries in Ukrainian Armed Forces May Reach 20,000: Russian Foreign Ministry
Number of Foreign Mercenaries in Ukrainian Armed Forces May Reach 20,000: Russian Foreign Ministry
Sputnik India
The number of foreign mercenaries in the Ukrainian armed forces may reach 20,000, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik told Sputnik. 22.08.2026, Sputnik India
2026-08-22T14:52+0530
2026-08-22T14:52+0530
2026-08-22T14:52+0530
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On August 6, Ukraine's military ombudsman Olga Reshetylova said that about 16,000 foreign mercenaries from 72 countries are serving in Ukraine's armed forces.The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly said that Kiev authorities are using foreign fighters as "cannon fodder," warning that the Russian military will continue striking mercenary troops across Ukraine. Mercenaries themselves have complained in interviews about poor coordination within the Ukrainian armed forces. They said the chance of surviving is low.
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Number of Foreign Mercenaries in Ukrainian Armed Forces May Reach 20,000: Russian Foreign Ministry
The number of foreign mercenaries in the Ukrainian armed forces may reach 20,000, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik told Sputnik.
On August 6, Ukraine's military ombudsman Olga Reshetylova said that about 16,000 foreign mercenaries from 72 countries are serving in Ukraine's armed forces.
"These 16,000 can be considered a contingent of foreign mercenaries. According to our data, in addition to these, another 30,000 people have passed through the armed forces of Ukraine - some died, some left after serving for some time. Currently, the figure of 16,000-20,000 foreign mercenaries in the armed forces of Ukraine is quite realistic," Miroshnik said.
The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly said that Kiev authorities are using foreign fighters as "cannon fodder," warning that the Russian military will continue striking mercenary troops across Ukraine. Mercenaries themselves have complained in interviews about poor coordination within the Ukrainian armed forces. They said the chance of surviving is low.
