Colombia Soldiers Are Fighting in Ukraine Against Russia, Answering Calls From President Volodymir Zelenskyy

After two years of war, Ukraine's military is slowly getting depleted. However, the country is getting reinforcements to fight Russia, and they are coming from Colombia. This comes as Ukraine President Volodymir Zelenskyy's call for foreign fighters to help repel the Russian invaders.

The Colombian soldiers going to Ukraine are hardened fighters from one of the world's longest-running conflicts, as these soldiers have been fighting communist rebels and Colombian drug cartels for a very long time. For its part, Ukraine is welcoming these Colombian fighters with open arms.

These soldiers are not there on orders from their government, however, as an official deployment of troops would mean the Colombian government declared war against Russia. Instead, these battle-hardened soldiers are more like mercenaries or soldiers of fortune.

One of these soldiers, a 32-year-old from Medellin, almost died after a Russian drone attack.

"I thought I was going to die," he told the Associated Press, which noted that these Colombian fighters are insisting that they be identified by their military call signs because they feared for their safety and that of their families. The man who spoke with the AP is known as "Checho."

"We got up and decided to run away from the position to save our lives," he added. "There was nowhere to hide." Checho was trying to save a colleague wounded in three days of heavy fighting against the Russians when the drones struck. He was hit by shrapnel that pierced his jawbone.

Many of these Colombian fighters may have retired from active service. The country currently has 250,000 military servicemen, with over 10,000 retiring every year. Hundreds of these retirees are heading to Ukraine to join the fight. It was reported that they may make four times as much as experienced non-commissioned officers earn in Colombia, possibly even more.

Economic Troubles Pushing Colombian Soldiers To Fight in Ukraine Vs. Russia

As to why these soldiers head to Ukraine to fight Russians, many of them have admitted that it is because of financial difficulties, using their expertise in combat to earn money in a foreign conflict.

Some of these soldiers have died, with their bodies now arriving in Colombia. One of these fighters who died went to Ukraine after a bank threatened to repossess his home in Colombia, while another joined the fight after losing money due to failing to enter the US via the US-Mexico border.

"I would venture to say that not one Colombian has gone there to defend democracy," Christian Perez, a retired Colombian Army sniper, told the New York Times. "I don't believe they have even heard of Ukraine before the war. Everything comes down to economic motivations."

Colombia Government Previously Condemned Russia and Sided With Ukraine

While the Colombian government is not getting directly involved in Ukraine, it has sided with the Volodymir Zelenskyy government in its fight against the Vladimir Putin-led invasion.

According to AA, Colombian President Gustavo Petro blasted Russia in June of last year after a Russian missile attack on the city of Kramatorsk killed 11 people and injured 56 more. It was noted that this was the first time Petro spoke about Russia's actions.

Three Colombians were caught in the missile attack, leading to them being in critical condition.

"Russia has attacked three defenseless Colombian civilians. It thus violates the protocols of war. The Foreign Ministry must deliver a diplomatic note of protest," said Petro. "We await the safe and sound return to their homes of Sergio, Hector and Catalina."

READ NEXT: Colombia Vice President Francia Marquez Targeted With Roadside Bomb

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: The Colombians fighting and dying in Ukraine - Associated Press