Colombian Volunteer “Tornado” Held Ukrainian Position for 110 Days Under Russian Assaults

A Colombian volunteer serving with Ukraine’s 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura” held a frontline position in Ukraine’s Sumy region for 110 days while repelling repeated Russian attacks, according to an interview published by the brigade on May 19.

The fighter, identified by the callsign “Tornado,” is serving in Ukraine’s International Legion. Before joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he worked in Colombia installing aluminum and tempered glass window structures.

According to the brigade, “Tornado” defended the position alongside another soldier under constant drone activity and repeated Russian assaults. The Colombian volunteer said he had previous military experience more than 20 years ago before traveling to Ukraine.

“I served in the military 20 years ago. I came to Ukraine to make my contribution to this war, to do a good thing, and also because of the money,” he said.

According to the 47th Brigade, the volunteer underwent more than 20 days of training after joining the unit. The preparation included instruction on rifles, RPG systems, anti-tank weapons, anti-drone systems, and mine warfare.

“We finished training and immediately went to the position,” “Tornado” said. “The hardest part was reaching the place where we had to go. We had to carry a lot of equipment, but the hardest thing was the drones.” The soldier described drone warfare as one of the defining elements of the battlefield in Ukraine.

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“Here, in war, more and more events are connected with drones,” he said. “Heavy and complex drones are operating, but if a person knows how to act in such conditions—it is possible to move forward.”

According to the brigade interview, “Tornado” said maintaining control under constant aerial surveillance was essential during the 110-day deployment.

“There was fear, yes, but you have to overcome it and stay calm in order to get out of fear,” he said. “While you are on the position with drones above your head—you have to keep your fear and other emotions under control.”

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The Colombian volunteer also warned foreign recruits against treating the war as an adventure. “People who come to Ukraine to fight must understand that they are going to war,” he said. “No one comes here to play games or for extreme tourism. This is war.”

Earlier, Ukraine’s Ground Forces reported that volunteers from 75 countries are serving in Ukrainian military units, with around 600 foreign nationals signing contracts each month, according to an interview with Deputy Head of the Department for Coordination of Foreign Military Service Kostiantyn Milevskyi published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Donbas Realii project on February 23.

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