Background on the Colombian Nationals
Alexander Ante and José Medina, both former Colombian military personnel, were sentenced to 13 years in prison by a Russian-administered court in the occupied Ukrainian region of Donetsk. They were accused of fighting alongside the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Who are Alexander Ante and José Medina?
Ante, 48, and Medina, 37, are ex-Colombian soldiers who enlisted in late 2023. Ante left Colombia in October, while Medina departed in November. Their plan was to return together to their hometown of Popayán, Cauca Department, in southwestern Colombia by July 2024.
Disappearance and Arrest
The two went missing for six weeks after landing in Venezuela for a layover on July 18, 2024, en route back to Colombia. According to El Tiempo, a Colombian newspaper, they were detained in Caracas by Venezuelan police, an ally of Russia.
“Mercenaries” – The Russian Perspective
Russia, which initiated its Ukraine offensive in February 2022, views foreign fighters supporting Ukrainian forces as “mercenaries,” a charge punishable by up to 15 years in prison. These individuals are not granted the status of prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions.
Trial and Sentencing
On August 28, 2024, a Moscow court announced the provisional detention of Ante and Medina, accusing them of mercenary activities.
A video released by the Russian Investigative Committee shows Medina, wearing a black hat and jacket, being escorted handcuffed to court in the Donetsk region. Another video displays Ante being led through a hallway by two uniformed officers before his court appearance.
Impact on Colombian Military Personnel
Bogotá claims that numerous Colombians have died since the start of Russia’s Ukraine offensive, as many traveled to join the fight against Russia.
In recent years, several foreign nationals have been tried by courts located in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia. In May, an Australian was sentenced to 13 years for fighting against the Russian army alongside Ukrainian soldiers from March to December 2024.
In October 2024, a Moscow court sentenced Stephen Hubbard, a 70-year-old American, to six years and ten months for supporting Kiev as a mercenary.
Ukrainian authorities announced in April the capture of two Chinese nationals accused of fighting for the Russian army.
Colombian Military Experience
Most Colombians in this situation are retired military personnel who traveled to Ukraine with promises of high salaries from intermediary companies, according to their families’ testimonies.
Due to their experience facing guerrillas and drug traffickers, ex-Colombian military personnel have been hired in conflicts such as those in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sudan.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who were the Colombian nationals sentenced by Russia? Alexander Ante and José Medina, both former Colombian military personnel.
- What were they accused of? Fighting as mercenaries alongside the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- What is the Russian perspective on foreign fighters in Ukraine? Russia considers them mercenaries, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and not granted the status of prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions.
- What is the background of Ante and Medina? Both are ex-Colombian soldiers who enlisted in late 2023 and planned to return home by July 2024. They went missing after a layover in Venezuela.
- How have Colombian military personnel been involved in international conflicts? Due to their experience dealing with guerrillas and drug traffickers, ex-Colombian military personnel have been hired in conflicts like those in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sudan.
