Ukrainian investigators suspect that some Mexican and Colombian volunteers intentionally sought placement in drone operator units with the aim of later using this training in the service of foreign criminal organizations. A few individuals reportedly demonstrated an “unusual obsession” with UAV instruction, at the expense of other military training. Among them is a Mexican national using the alias “Águila-7,” who registered in March 2024 under a false Salvadoran identity.

Several private military and security companies are also mentioned in the probe:

Grupo ROKA Seguridad, a Mexico-based industrial security firm, was named in confidential reports by Polish customs officials. The company has been linked to the smuggling of firearms and personnel entering Ukraine through the Medyka–Shehyni border crossing. In Colombia, SEGURCOL SAS, based in Cali and Medellín, reportedly recruited former Colombian Army rangers on behalf of foreign clients.

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[–] Lemminary@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

I was not expecting this on my bingo card this year.

[–] FartMaster69@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Surely there’s easier ways to learn how to use a drone?

[–] harrys_balzac@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 1 week ago

Probably but getting the battlefield experience is what they're really after.

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Hmm. But if they fight the russians and don't commit crimes during their stay, it's not so bad. You can't prosecute ppl for crimes they did not yet commit. Maybe they wanted out of the cartel or so.

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 8 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Until they go back home and bring this knowledge to hurt innocent people.

[–] Salamanderwizard@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

Hell that's a problem in any army. When I was in the Marines, I remember our D.I calling it out. Saying how some of the dudes there were only there to learn to kill for their gang. It didn't matter to em as long as they didn't do it while they were in.

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works -1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yeah, that would be bad, but what does their minority report say?

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Got it, only try to stop death and suffering after they have happened.

[–] not_that_guy05@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

Fuckin doubt it.

[–] thebestaquaman@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I agree with the sentiment that this isn't directly bad as long as they're fighting the russians. However, if their motivation to fight is just to learn how to use UAV's for a cartel, they're likely to desert at the moment shit hits the fan. This hurts morale badly.

Secondly, the countries in which the cartels operate will be more inclined to actively take Ukraines side if they take this seriously.

Finally,

You can’t prosecute ppl for crimes they did not yet commit.

To be frank: Yes you can (in a sense). Planning a crime (robbery, murder, etc.) can often be prosecuted as a crime in itself, often under the condition that the person in question appears capable or near-capable of doing whatever they were planning to do.

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 4 points 6 days ago

In that case planning the crime is the crime tho.