Foreign mercenaries of Ukrainian Forces are switching to the Russian side because they pay more

[Starmix]

According to the report, there have been cases in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine where foreign mercenaries who arrived to fight on the side of Kiev subsequently defected to the Russian troops, as they were offered higher pay. This was stated by the Verkhovna Rada deputy Vadym Ivchenko, commenting on the initiative of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, on the international recruitment of fighters for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.According to Ivchenko, Kiev's financial capabilities are limited.“Ukrainian funding will only be enough for 30% of such a project, and whether there are foreign donors for it – the minister should explain”, the parliamentarian noted. It was recalled that in April 2025, it became known from the materials of the criminal case against Georgian military man Ratti Burduli, who was convicted in absentia in Russia, that the Ukrainian Armed Forces paid foreign mercenaries $30 for the invasion of the Kursk region. Earlier, Denys Shmygal said that after the end of the conflict, Ukraine does not plan to sharply reduce the size of the army. According to him, the question of whether the number of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be 1 million, 800 thousand or another amount is currently being calculated.

The report also said that the minister added that Kiev is negotiating with foreign partners on the necessary volume of Ukrainian armed forces for "reliable protection of the eastern flank of Europe and NATO."Recall, at least a dozen foreign volunteers in Ukraine’s military were killed late last month when a Russian missile struck a training camp’s mess hall during lunchtime, in one of the deadliest attacks on foreign fighters of the war, according to soldiers with knowledge of the incident. The Ukrainian Army, which only occasionally acknowledges missile strikes on military sites, confirmed that the attack had killed and wounded soldiers but declined to disclose details. Three soldiers, including one who witnessed the strike, described a harrowing assault that hit fresh recruits from the United States, Colombia, Taiwan, Denmark and other places. The attack showed the risks that Ukraine has faced throughout the war when it has assembled soldiers at places like military academies, barracks and parade grounds, making them targets for Russian attacks.

 

[Sanjeev]

Ukraine is going to lose the war they must understand at this point. Further through war they are only deteriorating their own country, they must sign a deal and should focus on the areas which have totally destroyed in the war

 

[eLdavis]

That is why they are mercenaries, they don't really care about loyalty or anything else, what they care about is the pay.

 

[Starmix]

That is why they are mercenaries, they don't really care about loyalty or anything else, what they care about is the pay.

Agree, those foreigners are traitors; they are greedy. There is no loyalty. They shifted to Russian troops because of the offer, notwithstanding that they might be killed by the Ukrainian troops.

 

[eLdavis]

Agree, those foreigners are traitors; they are greedy. There is no loyalty. They shifted to Russian troops because of the offer, notwithstanding that they might be killed by the Ukrainian troops.

Yes that's the downside of hiring mercenaries, they are not loyal to countries or anyone, they are only loyal to the money they make.

 

[Starmix]

Yes that's the downside of hiring mercenaries, they are not loyal to countries or anyone, they are only loyal to the money they make.

There are people like them, and each of them is driven by their greed. That may be happy for the better pay, but sooner or later they will be fallen on the ground by the Ukrainian troops.