Donetsk: Colombian mercenaries participated in the defense of the village of Yelizavetovka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) alongside the Ukrainian armed forces, a storm trooper of the 5th Guards Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of Russia's Tsentr group of forces with the call sign "Konyok" told RIA Novosti.

According to Namibia Press Agency, on April 13, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russia's Tsentr group of forces had taken control of Yelizavetovka. The storm trooper mentioned encountering Colombians in the village, noting that they were likely killed, based on radio intercepts.

The soldier explained that mercenaries typically do not surrender and often retreat. He added that Ukrainian commanders showed more care towards the mercenaries than the Ukrainian soldiers themselves.

Colombian Ambassador to Russia Hector Arenas Neira, in an interview with RIA Novosti on April 2, acknowledged the absence of precise data regarding the number of Colombian mercenaries involved in the Ukraine conflict on Kiev's side. However, he mentioned that around 70-80 Colombian mercenaries had been killed in combat.