By Sabiu Abdullahi
A court in Russia’s Kursk region has sentenced a Colombian citizen to 28 years behind bars after finding him guilty of fighting as a “mercenary” with the Ukrainian Armed Forces against Moscow.
The sentencing was announced on Tuesday, with Russian authorities stating that the man took part in combat operations within Ukraine’s military, including in the border region of Kursk.
In its ruling, the court declared that the individual had participated “in the armed conflict as a mercenary in the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” and added that he was “sentenced to imprisonment for 28 years.”
Russian officials have consistently maintained that foreign nationals who support Ukraine on the battlefield are violating Russian law.
The Colombian’s involvement on the side of Kyiv further reflects the international dimension of the ongoing war.
The conviction comes amid continued hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, which have seen rising casualties on both sides.
It also aligns with Moscow’s broader efforts to clamp down on foreign fighters it accuses of aggravating the conflict.
The Russian government has not released the name of the convicted individual, nor has it provided further details regarding the specific charges or dates of the alleged combat activities.
The situation remains a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of the war, now drawing individuals from different continents into its orbit.