Ukraine reports foreign mercenaries in Russian assaults on Hulyaipole direction
Ukrainian military officials say Russia is using foreign mercenaries from African and Asian countries in assaults on the Hulyaipole direction. The 7th Corps of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces also reported about 900 Russian personnel killed or wounded over the previous week, alongside Russian regrouping, rotations and unit replacements.
Key points
- The 7th Corps reported on October 31 that Russia is using foreign mercenaries from African and Asian countries in assaults on the Hulyaipole direction.
- Ukrainian forces destroyed or wounded about 900 Russian personnel over the previous week.
- The reported losses were nearly 150 higher than in the preceding period and the highest in two months.
- A captured Indonesian citizen served in Russia's 39th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade.
- Russia's main tactic on the direction is infiltration by infantry groups of one to five service members.
- Russian recruitment reportedly promises foreign nationals civilian employment or safe contract military service.
- The 57th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade is reportedly being replaced by personnel from the 60th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade because of losses.
Why it matters
The reported use of foreign fighters indicates that Russia's participation in the assault campaign extends beyond its own troops. Significant Russian losses are forcing rotations and unit replacements, while preparations for intensified attacks may increase pressure on Ukrainian positions. The reported recruitment and treatment practices also raise concerns about how foreign nationals are brought into combat.
What happened
The 7th Corps of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces reported that Russian command is recruiting foreign mercenaries from African and Asian countries for assaults on the Hulyaipole direction. Ukrainian forces said the recruits are promised civilian employment or safe contract military service, but their documents and mobile phones are confiscated after arrival. According to the corps, recruits cut off from communications are then forcibly sent to the line of engagement. Ukrainian authorities also captured an Indonesian citizen who had served in Russia's 39th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade. Over the previous week, Ukrainian forces reported destroying or wounding about 900 Russian personnel. This was nearly 150 more than in the preceding period and the highest reported figure in two months. Following significant losses on forward positions, Russia is regrouping forces, rotating personnel and replacing units, including replacing the 57th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade with personnel from the 60th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting emphasizes the reported role of African and Asian mercenaries, the conditions under which they are recruited and deployed, and the capture of an Indonesian servicemember as evidence of foreign participation in Russian forces. It also highlights Russian losses, regrouping, infiltration tactics and preparations to restore or intensify attacks.
Background
Russian forces reportedly captured Hulyaipole during the summer and are preparing mechanized assaults in the direction. They are also seeking to bypass the fortified Ukrainian area from the right flank to avoid frontal attacks toward Orekhiv. Russian command reportedly intends to restore the intensity of its assaults after replenishing personnel. Separately, Dmytro Usov said Russia's Ministry of Defence had signed contracts with nearly 46,000 foreign nationals from 151 countries. About half of the foreign prisoners of war questioned by the Ukrainian side said they knew they would be fighting against Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces have captured citizens of 59 countries during the full-scale war.