Two Colombians Jailed by Russian-Run Court in Occupied Donetsk
A Moscow-backed court in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region has sentenced two Colombian nationals to 13 years in prison each, accusing them of fighting as “mercenaries” on behalf of Ukraine’s armed forces.
The defendants, Alexander Ante (48) and Jose Aron Medina Aranda (37), were convicted on Thursday by a court operated under the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) — one of several territories occupied and controlled by Russian authorities since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
According to a statement issued via the DPR prosecutor’s Telegram channel, the pair were found guilty of “participating in hostilities on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
The ruling is the latest in a series of long prison sentences handed down by Moscow-installed courts to foreign fighters who joined Ukraine’s war effort.
How the Colombian Fighters Ended Up in Russian Custody
Reports indicate that Ante and Medina Aranda fought alongside Ukrainian troops in 2023 and 2024, before disappearing in July 2024 while returning home through Venezuela — a close ally of Russia.
The Colombian newspaper El Tiempo reported that both men were detained in Caracas while still wearing Ukrainian military uniforms. One month later, Russian officials announced they had taken custody of the two men.
Footage released by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) showed the men handcuffed, dressed in prison uniforms, and escorted by masked guards through a courthouse in occupied Donetsk.
Their families in Colombia say they have had no direct contact with the men since their arrests.
“I don’t know if we will ever see them again,” said Cielo Paz, Medina’s wife, in an interview with AFP. “It’s heartbreaking — we’ve had no news for months.”
Russia Labels Foreign Soldiers ‘Mercenaries’ Despite Ukraine’s Official Enlistment Process
The Kremlin and its affiliated courts have repeatedly accused foreign fighters supporting Ukraine of being mercenaries, a crime under Russian law punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
However, international observers and Ukrainian officials argue that most of these individuals are formally enlisted in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, making them regular soldiers — not mercenaries — under international law.
According to the Kyiv Post, foreign volunteers serving in Ukraine’s International Legion receive the same pay, rank, and legal status as Ukrainian troops. Under the Geneva Conventions, they should be treated as prisoners of war (POWs) if captured — not prosecuted as criminals.
Legal experts have condemned Russia’s handling of such cases, calling it a violation of the laws of war.
“These trials are political theater,” said Dr. Olena Kovalchuk, a Kyiv-based international law analyst. “Moscow is using them to intimidate foreigners and deter international volunteers from helping Ukraine.”
A Pattern of Harsh Sentences for Foreign Fighters
Thursday’s verdict follows a string of similar cases involving foreign nationals captured in Ukraine.
- In June 2025, Russian state media outlet TASS reported that Pablo Puentes Borges, another Colombian national, received a 28-year sentence from a military court on charges of terrorism and mercenary activity.
- In April 2025, Miguel Ángel Cárdenas Montilla, also from Colombia, was sentenced to nine years for the same offense.
All were accused of serving with Ukrainian forces in violation of Russia’s wartime decrees.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the Donetsk court system as illegitimate and operating without due process, noting that its rulings are not recognized internationally.
Colombian Fighters Among Hundreds Serving in Ukraine
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, dozens of Colombian citizens have reportedly joined Ukraine’s military, motivated by a mix of ideological commitment, professional experience, and financial need.
The Colombian government says at least 30 of its nationals have been killed in Ukraine since 2022. Most served in frontline brigades across Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions.
Military analysts note that Latin American fighters, many of them former army or police personnel, bring combat experience from internal conflicts at home.
“These men are battle-hardened and often view Russia’s invasion as a fight against authoritarianism,” said Jorge Restrepo, a Colombian conflict researcher.
Russia’s Legal Strategy in Occupied Ukraine
By prosecuting captured foreigners in occupied Ukrainian courts, Russia seeks to legitimize its control over territories such as Donetsk and Luhansk, analysts say.
The Donetsk People’s Republic courts, established after Russia’s annexation claims, have no international recognition, yet they operate under Russian judicial oversight.
Such trials serve both a domestic propaganda purpose — portraying Russia as fighting “terrorists and mercenaries” — and a diplomatic message aimed at discouraging further international support for Kyiv.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned Thursday’s verdict, calling it “a blatant violation of international humanitarian law” and vowing to seek the fighters’ release through diplomatic channels.
A Symbolic Case Amid Ongoing War
The sentencing of Ante and Medina Aranda underscores how the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to draw in foreign nationals, turning the war into a global flashpoint that extends far beyond Europe’s borders.
As fighting persists across eastern Ukraine, cases like this highlight the growing human cost — not only for Ukrainians but also for foreign volunteers who risk imprisonment or death.
Meanwhile, Russia’s military and judicial apparatus in occupied territories continues to tighten its grip, raising questions about how long these regions can remain under Moscow’s control — and whether captured fighters will ever be repatriated.
Key Takeaways
- Two Colombian nationals sentenced to 13 years in prison by a Moscow-backed court in occupied Donetsk
- Both men accused of being mercenaries, though experts say they were legally enlisted Ukrainian soldiers
- Russia continues to prosecute foreign fighters under domestic anti-mercenary laws
- Colombian government confirms dozens of its citizens have joined or died in Ukraine
- Human rights groups denounce Donetsk court as illegitimate and politically driven
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