In the Kramatorsk district of Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces eliminated a foreign mercenary from the Philippines fighting for Russia, underscoring what Kyiv’s military intelligence calls the Kremlin’s criminal practice of recruiting migrants and foreigners for its war against Ukraine, the agency said.
Among the Russian fighters killed in Donbas, military intelligence identified the body of John Patrick, a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines, who served in the 9th assault company of the 3rd battalion, 283rd regiment, 144th Motorized Rifle Division of Russia’s 20th Combined Arms Army.
Like many other foreign mercenaries, he died during a so‑called “meat assault” near the settlement of Novoselivka in Kramatorsk district. On him, Ukrainian servicemen found only a weapon, ammunition and a scrap of paper with his unit number, a phone number and the commander’s name. He did not speak Russian.
Data extracted from his electronic devices indicated his basic training lasted just one week, after which he was sent straight to the front. After being wounded, he died slowly in a tree line; evacuation was not planned.
Russia is scaling up the practice of drawing foreign nationals and labor migrants into its armed formations through deception or coercion, Ukrainian intelligence said. Foreigners are promised rear-area duties or threatened with police problems and then end up on the front line without training or a chance to survive.
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate warns foreign citizens against traveling to Russia or taking any job there - especially illegal work - saying a trip to the Russian Federation can end with assignment to an assault company without training and death.
