Ukraine's intelligence identifies Filipino who died fighting for Russia
Photo: Foreign mercenary fighting for the Russian army was eliminated in Donbas (t.me/DIUkraine)
Another foreign mercenary fighting for the Russian army has been killed in the war against Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence managed to identify a citizen of the Philippines who was killed in the Donetsk region, according to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.
From Manila to the frontline
Ukrainian intelligence identified the eliminated soldier. He was 37-year-old Jeric Jumadil Undol, a native of the Manila metropolitan area.
His involvement in the war unfolded rapidly. On January 22, 2026, Undol obtained a Russian visa. On April 18, he arrived in Russia to sign a contract and was placed at the Avangard Center, an institution for military-patriotic education of young people.
On May 3, he signed a one-year contract with the Russian armed forces.
Photo: Foreign mercenary fighting for the Russian army was eliminated in Donbas (t.me/DIUkraine)
Photo: Foreign mercenary fighting for the Russian army was eliminated in Donbas (t.me/DIUkraine)
Photo: Foreign mercenary fighting for the Russian army was eliminated in Donbas (t.me/DIUkraine)
Photo: Foreign mercenary fighting for the Russian army was eliminated in Donbas (t.me/DIUkraine)
Photo: Foreign mercenary fighting for the Russian army was eliminated in Donbas (t.me/DIUkraine)
Photo: Foreign mercenary fighting for the Russian army was eliminated in Donbas (t.me/DIUkraine)
Killed shortly after arriving in the Donetsk region
The mercenary’s military training lasted only about a week. By mid-May, the Filipino had already been sent directly to the frontline.
At the end of May, Undol was killed during an assault near the settlement of Katerynivka in the Donetsk region, close to the junction of Donetsk, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions.
"The mercenary deliberately ignored warnings from the Philippine government and local legislation, tempted by the prospect of 'easy' money," the intelligence said.
How Russia recruits people for the war
Russia is actively stepping up efforts to replenish the ranks of its army, using both financial incentives and coercive methods.
In many regions of Russia, spending on rewards for those recruiting contract soldiers has increased significantly.
Officials are paying civilian recruiters dozens of times more than last year to meet recruitment targets and avoid announcing a new wave of general mobilization. So far, this recruitment practice has been introduced in 56 Russian regions.
At the same time, Russian authorities are turning to direct coercion. Russian cities have begun testing the forcible detention of people directly on the streets. Those detained are taken by force to recruitment centers, where they are pressured into signing contracts with Russia’s Defense Ministry.
Such cases were reported in Penza and in Omsk.
