Russia killed and wounded foreign volunteers in strike on Ukrainian training ground - NYT
Photo: Foreign volunteers were wounded and killed in a Russian strike on a training ground (Getty Images)
Russian troops launched a missile strike on a Ukrainian Armed Forces training ground near Kropyvnytskyi. As a result, dozens of foreign volunteers were killed and wounded, according to The New York Times.
The tragedy occurred on July 21, 2025. According to military personnel familiar with the incident, at least ten foreign volunteers serving in the Ukrainian army were killed when a Russian missile struck the training camp's dining hall during lunch.
This was one of the deadliest attacks on foreign fighters in the entire war, the NYT notes.
Three legion soldiers told the NYT that among the victims were recruits from the US, Colombia, Taiwan, Denmark, and other countries.
An American recruit from Florida, who asked not to be named, said the explosion was the loudest he had ever heard. In a telephone interview, he said the explosion scattered debris around him and knocked down nearby trees. He saw at least 15 killed soldiers and more than 100 wounded.
The soldier also reported that the strike set off an ammunition depot, causing even more explosions while they were helping the wounded.
According to him, the air raid siren allegedly did not go off before the strike, and there were no first aid kits in the dining room.
Volodymyr Kaminskyi, spokesperson for the International Legion of Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, said that the investigation is ongoing, so the number of victims cannot be disclosed.
Foreign volunteers in ranks of Armed Forces of Ukraine
Foreign volunteers in Ukraine serve in regular units of the Armed Forces or in two special international legions, one of which is subordinate to the army and the other to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.
The agency notes that foreign volunteers, including veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and volunteers from South America, are joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine out of a sincere desire to help Ukrainians or for a salary ranging from $1,000 to $1,750 (plus combat bonuses, which together can exceed $3,000 per month).
"Colombian men have been drawn to Ukraine for salaries far higher than what they can earn at home, though the risks in trench fighting are severe," the NYT writes.
Russian strikes on training grounds in Ukraine
Last night, Russian troops launched a missile strike on the territory of one of the training units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Ground Forces. As a result, one soldier was killed and dozens more were injured.
On June 22, the Russians launched a missile strike on a training ground of one of the mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Army, where military personnel were conducting training exercises.
Russia struck a shooting range in the Sumy region, and a few days later, Russia attacked a training ground in the Poltava region.
