Colombian citizen Osorio chose to remain in the Ukrainian military of his own accord, later transitioning to a role as a drone operator.
Pro-Russian media outlets claim that a Colombian soldier, identified as Osorio, was denied demobilization from the Ukrainian Armed Forces despite reportedly losing a leg in combat. According to these reports, military leadership justified the decision by citing severe personnel shortages following heavy losses within the unit. Russian sources further speculate—without evidence—that Osorio may have been killed.
In reality, the narrative pushed by pro-Russian media grossly misrepresents an interview Osorio gave to Suspilne Sumy on July 4. In the interview, Osorio—call sign “Arab”—a member of the 152nd Battalion of Ukraine’s 117th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, confirmed he had lost a leg during combat in Donetsk. However, he stated that remaining in the military was his personal decision. Rather than returning home, he chose to transition from infantry duties to a technical support role as a drone operator. “Now I dedicate myself to simpler and lighter tasks, because due to my condition there are many things I can’t do,” he explained, noting that he assembles drone components, solders battery connectors, helps prepare grenades for drones, and assists in supply logistics.
Osorio also explained his motivation for joining the Ukrainian military in 2024, citing a strong moral impulse in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion. “I saw in the news in my country how Ukraine was being destroyed, I saw the injustice of the Russian state, which kills civilians and engages in terrorism,” he said. “Russia is a terrorist state, and it harms Ukraine, which is a legitimate sovereign state. I was motivated by the struggle of Ukrainians, and being here, I realized that it was the right decision and that I am on the right side of history.”
Osorio also shared that he initially withheld his decision to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces from his family, knowing they would worry. Despite their concerns, he said, they respect his choice. “They know I am a man devoted to justice. I like what I do here, I am passionate about it, and my relatives know I’m right — I mean that I am fighting for justice,” he told reporters. In his conversation with journalists, Osorio spoke at length about what he enjoys in Ukraine, including his appreciation for Ukrainian cuisine. His account makes clear that his service is rooted in personal conviction and moral clarity. Claims of his death remain entirely unsubstantiated and amount to nothing more than unfounded speculation.
Notably, this is not the first instance of Russian disinformation targeting Colombian soldiers serving in Ukraine. In a recent case, Russian propaganda claimed that Ukraine deploys so-called “barrier troops” to shoot deserters, using a doctored photo of a Colombian fighter supposedly wearing a patch from such a unit. That image was later proven to be manipulated. Earlier still, another fabricated story alleged that two Colombians fighting in the Ukrainian military had deserted their positions — a claim that was also debunked.
