2024-02-11 21:05:31
A journalist introduced himself as a retired soldier to the Ukrainian citizen who has been in charge of recruiting several nationals to transfer them to battalions on the other side of the planet; several have died.
He gave two indications through WhatsApp:
“Come to the city of Ternopil and call me, I will prepare the complete package of documents.”
When questioned regarding the requirements that had to be met, the subject summarized that the only thing required was a passport, being legally in the territory and having money to stay in hotels for two weeks.
The foreigner also commented: “I do everything else, I have multiple options for your service,” referring to the three alternatives that people who join the war have: first line (when fighting in a mission), second line ( when you live close to the battle unit) and third line (internal procedures, dispatch).
The latter is exclusively for Ukrainians, while the others are distributed between nationals who dare to attack Russians and visitors, mostly from low-income countries. The Colombians are located in the first two units, the most dangerous and insistently pursued by enemies.
From left to right, Colombian soldiers (r) murdered in Ukraine: Diego Ulucue, Jairo Bahamón, Jhonatan Chimbaco and Joan Cerón. | Photo: Supplied to API Week
The best paid is the first line, close to 12 million pesos per month. However, what the character did not tell is that many soldiers have to overcome two months of intense and dangerous tests where they are distributed 3 million pesos. In a stroke of luck and miracle, they might manipulate the promise.
Luis Alberto Cerón was one of the soldiers who traveled from Colombia to Ukraine and went on the front line, with the purpose of collecting large sums of money and returning safely to the country. In dialogue with SEMANA, he provided shocking details of the war that he experienced firsthand in European territory.
He wore the uniform for a month and a half: “It’s like being in a movie. You go, you enter your trench and, at all times, you are hearing grenades and bullets. Yes, it’s like being in a movie, but you’re living it.” Faced with the fear of dying and pressure from his family, he made the decision to step aside.
Hundreds of compatriots have joined the war to defend Ukraine from Russia. Some of them did not have adequate military training to face this challenge. | Photo: afp
Although it was one episode, in particular, that prompted him to leave the country and seek refuge in Poland. The soldier denounced that the Ukrainian army left the unit that was made up of Colombians alone, who tried to counterbalance the men sent by the Russians to assassinate them at any price.
Luis Alberto Cerón did not hesitate to give up the risky armed struggle: “we all gave up the base because there was an abandonment of us, they left us involved in the fight. “The Ukrainians themselves, some of their colleagues, were shot.” The government accepted his resignation without reproach.
Before his eyes, a cousin and a Latino friend died. Explosives delivered by drones are the deadliest. He carried the grave on his shoulder every second. In the midst of anguish, he wanted to give priority to his life and give peace of mind to his family: “You risk a lot of being killed, it is very difficult.”
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