Ukraine captures Indonesian soldier as Russia reportedly deploys foreign mercenaries near Hulaypole
Ukrainian military officials said Russia is using foreign mercenaries from African and Asian countries in assaults on the Hulaypole direction. Ukrainian forces reported nearly 900 Russian troops killed or wounded over the past week, prompting Russian units to regroup and rotate, while an Indonesian citizen captured in Ukraine was serving in a Russian motor rifle brigade.
Key points
- Ukrainian forces captured an Indonesian citizen serving in Russia's 39th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade.
- The 7th Corps of the Air assault forces reported that Russia is deploying mercenaries from African and Asian countries near Hulaypole.
- Ukrainian forces said they killed or wounded nearly 900 Russian troops over the past week.
- The reported weekly loss figure was almost 150 higher than in the previous period and the highest in two months.
- Russia's 57th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade is reportedly being replaced by the 60th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade.
- Recruits are promised civilian jobs or safe contract service, after which their documents and mobile phones are reportedly confiscated.
- Russia's Defence Ministry reportedly signed contracts with almost 46,000 foreigners from 151 countries.
- About half of the foreign prisoners of war surveyed by the Ukrainian side said they knew they would be fighting against Ukraine.
Why it matters
The reported use of foreign mercenaries indicates that Russia's military losses are being offset by additional non-Russian personnel. Heavy losses have also forced Russian formations to regroup, rotate and replace units, although Ukrainian forces expect attacks to intensify once personnel are replenished. The capture of an Indonesian soldier provides a documented case of a foreign national serving in the Russian armed forces.
What happened
Ukraine's 7th Corps of the air assault forces reported that Russia is using mercenaries from African and Asian countries in assault operations on the Hulaypole direction. It said Ukrainian forces killed or wounded nearly 900 Russian troops over the past week, almost 150 more than during the previous period and the highest weekly figure in two months. Following heavy losses in forward positions, Russia is reportedly regrouping forces, rotating units and replacing formations; the 57th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade is being replaced within the 5th Combined Arms Army by the 60th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade. The reported main Russian tactic on this front remains infiltration by small infantry groups of one to five soldiers. Ukrainian military officials also announced the capture of an Indonesian citizen who served in the Russian military's 39th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focuses on the reported recruitment and deployment of African and Asian mercenaries, including alleged confiscation of their documents and mobile phones and coercion of recruits to the front line. Military reports emphasize substantial Russian losses, the regrouping and rotation of units, and the expectation of renewed attacks after Russia replenishes its personnel. The capture of the Indonesian citizen is presented as evidence of foreign participation in the Russian armed forces.
Background
Foreign recruits are reportedly offered civilian employment or safe contract service, but their documents and mobile phones are confiscated after they arrive in Russia or at their place of duty. Those deprived of communication are then reportedly forced to the line of contact. Dmytro Usov said the Russian Defence Ministry had signed contracts with almost 46,000 foreigners from 151 countries. About half of the foreign prisoners of war surveyed by the Ukrainian side said they knew they would be fighting against Ukraine.