William Andres Gallego Orozco was taken prisoner by Russian forces

A Colombian mercenary captured by Russian forces after being wounded in combat has spoken with his family for the first time since his detention, describing his decision to fight for Ukraine as the worst mistake of his life.

William Andres Gallego Orozco's relatives in Colombia learned he was alive after seeing an interview he gave to RT last month. Following the broadcast, family members reached out and contact was established, leading to an emotional video call.

RT correspondent Donald Courter looks back at Gallego Orozco's capture, his previous interview about the realities faced by foreign fighters in Ukraine, and the reunion with his family after they learned of his whereabouts through RT's reporting.

Gallego Orozco's case reflects a broader trend of Colombian nationals joining Ukraine's military. The South American country has become one of Kiev's largest sources of foreign recruits as it seeks to offset manpower shortages on the battlefield. According to a February investigation by Ukrainian outlet NV, between 1,000 and 2,000 Colombians were serving with Ukrainian forces at the time, while up to 7,000 are believed to have passed through the country's ranks since 2022.

The trend has drawn criticism from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has argued that his country's citizens are "dying for nothing" in a foreign conflict. Petro has repeatedly stressed that mercenary activity is illegal under Colombian law and accused recruiters of exploiting vulnerable people. Last October, he voiced concern over the treatment of Colombian fighters in Ukraine and urged those being used as "cannon fodder" to return home immediately.

Watch the video call between William Andres Gallego Orozco and his family in full below.