Ukraine Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov has announced plans to increase the recruitment of foreign fighters. Ukraine disbanded their “International Legion” of mercenaries in December, instructing those still alive to join regular Ukrainian assault units, according to Le Monde, which reported that at the time the Legion consisted of four battalions, each purportedly with 400 to 600 troops. The largest number from one country were from Colombia, at about 7,000, according to BBC.
Now, Fedorov admits the problem is desertion and refusal of citizens to be drafted: “Our complex plan for solving the problems we have with desertions and mobilizations includes certain decisions to increase the number of foreigners in Ukraine,” the minister said to a press conference with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yesilgoz.
