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Russia Forces Deceived Colombian Tourist Into Frontline Assault Units After Visa Scam
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Ukrainian troops have captured a Colombian citizen who was fighting on the side of Russian forces after allegedly being misled with promises of civilian employment in Russia.
According to the 152nd Separate Jaeger Brigade named after Symon Petliura on February 21, the 31-year-old man was taken prisoner during combat operations. The brigade published a video of the detainee’s testimony on its official Facebook page.
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According to the brigade, the captured individual is Edwin Alberto Diaz, a 31-year-old from Montería, Colombia. Ukrainian military officials from the unit stated that Russia recruited him with promises of legal work and high wages. In the video released by the brigade, the detainee described traveling to Russia after purchasing what he believed was a work-related tour package.
“I bought a tour for eight million pesos from Colombia to Russia — that was all my money. When I arrived, I was supposed to work with a man named Marcus. They offered me work in hotels, and I broke the law. I stayed there longer than the tour allowed,” he said. He described how he was later transported to a military training facility.
“One day my boss, a little angry, put me in a truck and took me to a training base. There they took me into the Russian army because I had broken the law by not leaving with the tour. And so I had to pay for the time I overstayed. They deceived me, telling me I would only take care of trucks for a certain time. In the end, I found myself in the trenches,” the detainee said.
According to the 152nd Separate Jaeger Brigade, Russia systematically recruits foreign nationals through financial incentives, misleading information about working conditions, and pressure related to migration status. The brigade stated that such individuals are often deployed to frontline assault operations shortly after arrival.
The Colombian national reportedly paid eight million Colombian pesos—approximately $2,000—for travel to Russia. After overstaying the terms of his tourist arrangement, he said he was taken to a training base and assigned to Russian military units.
The 152nd Brigade stated that the detainee received necessary medical assistance and is being treated in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
Earlier, on December 18, 2025, soldiers of the 425th Separate Assault Battalion “Skelya” captured two Colombian nationals in Pokrovsk who had been fighting on the side of Russian forces.
According to the battalion’s statement on Telegram, the men said they had traveled to Russia for work after being promised $2,500 per month and construction jobs. Upon arrival in Ufa, their documents were reportedly confiscated, they were issued rifles, and sent to assault Ukrainian positions.
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