A Colombian citizen has been detained near the village of Alexandria in Russia's Kursk region on charges of terrorism and mercenary activity, as both Moscow and Kyiv grapple with the growing presence of foreign fighters in their ranks. The arrest marks the latest in Russia's campaign to prosecute mercenaries fighting for Ukrainian forces, while itself facing international scrutiny over its recruitment of foreign nationals.

Pablo Puentes Borges was taken into custody following a request from the Russian Investigative Committee, the agency's spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko announced on January 22. He was captured during combat operations against Russian forces in the Sudzha district of the border province of Kursk, which Ukraine has partially occupied since last August in retaliation for Moscow’s ongoing invasion.

According to investigators, Borges illegally crossed the Russian border in December 2024 carrying automatic weapons and explosive devices. In a post-arrest interview with the committee, he acknowledged joining the conflict for financial gain and confirmed signing a contract with Ukrainian authorities.

Russian officials allege that Borges, who was fighting for the Ukrainian army in exchange for payment, “sought to intimidate local civilians, cause significant material damage, and destabilise government operations in the border region.”

The arrest comes amid mounting concern over Colombian involvement in the Ukraine war. Russian outlet RBC reported that between June and December 2024, 51 Colombian citizens were killed in the fighting, with approximately 200 still active in the conflict zone.

In recent years, Colombian mercenaries have been spotted fighting in multiple conflicts worldwide, including on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war and in Sudan's civil war. Two of them were detained last August while transiting through Caracas on their way back from Ukraine. They were handed over to Moscow by the Russia-allied regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and now face up to 15 years in prison on charges of mercenarism. Like many other veterans from the South American nation, the pair were enticed to enlist by salaries topping $3,000 a month – a lifeline for families at home.

In response to the growing crisis, Colombia and Russia reportedly established a working group in December to stem the flow of mercenaries heading to Ukraine. Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo has expressed opposition to his country's citizens participating in foreign conflicts, and the government has submitted legislation to parliament to ratify an anti-mercenary convention.

Meanwhile, the Russian Investigative Committee revealed that it has opened criminal cases against 845 foreign fighters from 55 countries who joined Ukrainian forces. Of these, 589 have been placed on international wanted lists, with 86 cases investigated and 49 sentences already handed down.

The committee has also initiated criminal proceedings against 31 additional foreign nationals from countries including the United States, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, and Argentina for alleged mercenary activities.

Yet the involvement of Latin American fighters extends beyond those supporting Ukrainian forces. Recent reports have shed light on the Kremlin’s own recruitment of foreign nationals, mostly Cubans, who are lured by promises of Russian citizenship and competitive salaries. However, many find themselves trapped at the front lines well beyond their initial one-year contracts, their passports confiscated by military authorities. Some Cuban recruits report being forced to continue fighting even after their service terms expire, with Moscow effectively using their newly granted citizenship as leverage to keep them in service amid mounting casualties.