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Colombian sentenced to 28 years in Russia for fighting in Ukraine
Colombians sentenced in Russia: 28 years in prison for mercenary activities in the Ukraine conflict. Background under international law explained.
Colombian sentenced to 28 years in Russia for fighting in Ukraine
A court in Kursk, Russia, has sentenced Colombian Pablo Puentes Borges to 28 years in prison. How oe24 According to reports, he was accused of joining the Ukrainian armed forces as a mercenary and fighting in the Russian border region of Kursk. In addition to “mercenaryism,” he was also charged with “illegal border crossing” and “weapons and ammunition smuggling.” The ruling highlights Russia's rigorous prosecution of foreigners fighting for Ukraine because they do not enjoy the protection of prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions.
In the summer of 2024, the Ukrainian army invaded the Russian border region of Kursk and occupied around 1,400 square kilometers. However, the last Ukrainian units had to withdraw from this region in April 2025, further complicating the security situation.
Legal situation for mercenaries
The situation of mercenaries in international law is ambiguous. How taz reported, mercenaries are considered people who are not incorporated into state armed forces and who take part in armed conflicts for commercial reasons. They do not enjoy any protection under international law, which means that they can be prosecuted if they kill or injure opponents. The 1977 First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Convention makes it clear that mercenaries only have the right to humane treatment and a trial.
In many conflict regions, national law enforcement authorities suffer from weak state structures, which makes it difficult to prosecute mercenaries. In addition, in the past, intergovernmental agreements have often provided additional protection for employees of private security companies.
International dimension
Another example of the international dimension of mercenary operations is the case of Western soldier James Anderson, who is said to have fought in a right-wing extremist battalion in Ukraine. Loud Mirror Anderson is currently in Russian captivity, which highlights another facet of the legal and humanitarian aspects of the mercenary operation.
The legal situation in Germany is complex. Recruiting German citizens for foreign military service is punishable, while working in private mercenary troops is not automatically illegal. War crimes and crimes against humanity are subject to the German International Criminal Code, which can potentially lead to criminal consequences.
The conviction of Pablo Puentes Borges and the background to the mercenary deployment illustrate the delicate legal and ethical questions in times of armed conflict.