Russia denies Colombian mercenary links in Ukraine war

Russia's embassy in Colombia denied having links to suspected recruitment networks of Colombian mercenaries for the war in Ukraine, after a Colombian media investigation alleged Moscow had enlisted Colombians.

The diplomatic mission said Wednesday it had no relation with the recruiters mentioned by Noticias Caracol and no knowledge of how they finance their activities.

Noticias Caracol published an investigation Monday featuring testimony and documents alleging that Moscow recruited Colombians as part of its strategy against Kyiv.

Family members of Colombians hired to provide security services abroad, mostly retired military personnel, have reported mistreatment of their relatives in Russia and Ukraine.

Last November, Russia sentenced two Colombians to 13 years in prison on accusations that they fought for Ukraine's armed forces.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro says there are at least 7,000 Colombians fighting in Russia and Ukraine for money. The United Nations estimated in March that at least 10,000 Colombians had been recruited abroad to take part in armed conflicts around the world, often under inhuman conditions.

Colombian soldiers often struggle to find work after leaving the military, and mercenary forces are sought in conflicts including Sudan, Yemen, Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo.