Detained in Maduro’s Venezuela, 2 Colombian citizens who fought for Ukraine extradited to Russia

In the first such case made public since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia on Friday said it had arrested two Colombian citizens for fighting on Ukraine’s side.

According to a Politico report, citing local Colombian and other Spanish-language media reports, the arrests came after the two men, identified as Alexander Ante and José Aron Medina, were extradited to Russia by Venezuelan authorities who had detained them in mid-July while they were on their way back home during a layover in Caracas.

Ante and Medina joined a foreign legion in Ukraine in the summer of 2023, added the report.

The extradition and arrest is likely designed to spook other foreigners who might consider joining Ukraine’s armed forces, as well as underscoring Russia’s alliance with countries such as strongman leader Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuela, reported Politico.

According to the report, citing an online statement by Russia’s FSB, the two men were found with documents “confirming unlawful activity” and clothing associated with Carpathian Sich, a battalion involving foreign fighters in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, a Moscow court placed the men in pre-trial detention in Moscow’s high-security Lefortovo prison while they are investigated for paid participation in an armed conflict, which in Russia carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years behind bars, reported Politico.

The FSB also released a video showing the men being escorted down a corridor with their heads bowed and identifying themselves on camera, seemingly under duress.

Meanwhile, Russia is actively recruiting mercenaries abroad for its conflict with Ukraine, offering high salaries and expedited Russian citizenship, with recruitment efforts in places like Cuba and India.

Additionally, Russia maintains strong ties with mercenary groups such as Wagner, which, aside from its activities in Ukraine, is notably active in Africa.

With inputs from agencies