El Ciudadano
Original article: Mercenario chileno detenido en Ucrania: lo acusan de matar a dos colombianos que combatían por Kiev
Ukrainian police authorities have confirmed the arrest of a 39-year-old Chilean mercenary, who is accused of murdering two Colombian fighters who, like him, were part of the Ukrainian Defense Forces amid the ongoing war with Russia.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 29, in the city of Mykolaiv when the three soldiers were traveling in an Opel car, and a violent argument escalated into gunfire that resulted in the deaths of the two occupants in the front seats.
According to an official report released via Telegram by the Ukrainian police, the suspect was in the back seat of the vehicle when, based on preliminary investigations, he allegedly initiated the gunfire that killed the 39-year-old driver and his 33-year-old companion, both Colombian nationals. Initial indications suggest that the motive for the attack was a fight among the three soldiers inside the vehicle, though the exact circumstances that led to the violence are still under investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office.
After being arrested at the scene, authorities subjected the Chilean to a breathalyzer test, which revealed a concerning result: 2.29 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. In addition to this finding, police seized three firearms that were found inside the Opel, along with various ballistic evidence that will be crucial in clarifying the dynamics of the homicide.
The identity of the Chilean, who has not been disclosed by Ukrainian authorities or Chile’s Foreign Ministry, will now face legal proceedings in the European country. The Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office has opened a formal investigation for the intentional homicide of two individuals, a charge that could lead to a sentence ranging from 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
So far, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not officially commented on the case nor provided any information regarding potential consular assistance for the detainee, as reported by El País.
This tragic incident once again highlights the increasing presence of foreign military personnel, particularly South Americans, at the Ukrainian front. The international legion fighting alongside Kyiv has seen a significant rise in Chilean volunteers in recent years. In this context, the case of Bryan Jara, a 28-year-old who died in January 2025 during an attack in the Russian region of Kursk, is recalled.
Meanwhile, Colombia has also witnessed a notable increase in the participation of its citizens in international conflicts, though the situation presents even more concerning aspects. A report by a group of UN experts released in March has warned of a rise in the recruitment of mercenaries globally. The document estimates that over 10,000 Colombians, mostly former military personnel and police officers, have been recruited abroad over the past 11 years, lured by financial offers ranging from $2,000 to $6,000 monthly. The recruitment, often conducted through social media and informal channels, has been described as deceptive, exposing these fighters to legal and physical risks in war scenarios such as that in Ukraine.
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