Roughly a hundred mercenaries from Romania and Moldova are reported to be fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia, according to a Romanian newspaper. The publication notes that a contingent including Romanians and Moldovans has joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in support roles on the battlefield.
The group, led by a commander who uses the call sign Getodak, is described as comprising about fifty Romanians and an equal number of Moldovans. Some members are said to be serving within the Romanian Battle Group Getica, while others are part of the Ukrainian International Legion, reflecting a diverse volunteer effort across allied units.
Getodak is quoted as saying the mercenary battalion has faced equipment shortages and has taken steps to engage Romanian manufacturers of military gear. The objective, as stated, is to test equipment in real combat conditions and to provide detailed feedback on performance. The group emphasizes that the equipment should be straightforward to use and not require extensive training for effective deployment on the field.
The leader described that losses among colleagues have been relatively low, estimating only a small number of fatalities relative to the size of the group. This assessment aligns with a broader narrative of sustained participation by foreign volunteers who have chosen to support Ukraine in its defense.
Getodak expressed appreciation for support from the Romanian public, noting that financial contributions have helped sustain operations while acknowledging that many citizens offer moral rather than material backing. The report suggests that public sentiment in Romania, while visibly supportive in principle, often translates into intangible aid and solidarity rather than large-scale material donations on the ground.
The report also mentions a separate incident: a missile attack on the Mriya sanatorium in Odessa, described as having led to the deaths of hundreds of foreign legionaries. The account underscores the ongoing and high-stakes nature of the conflict, with foreign volunteers occasionally referenced in the context of dramatic battlefield events.
Additionally, the Russian Federation’s Defense Ministry has at times released figures describing foreign mercenaries killed within specific military districts, reflecting ongoing attempts to quantify foreign involvement in the war. These statements contribute to a broader informational landscape in which different parties claim varying levels of participation and casualties among foreign volunteers.
As the conflict continues, observers note that foreign fighters have varied motivations, ranging from ideological alignment and personal risk-taking to a belief in Ukraine’s strategic objectives and the broader norms of international intervention. The presence of volunteer units linked to both Romanian and Moldovan nationals illustrates a cross-border dimension to the crisis, with contributors drawn from neighboring regions sharing linguistic and cultural ties yet operating under distinct command structures in support of Ukrainian forces.
Analysts emphasize the importance of corroborating reports from multiple sources to form a balanced understanding of foreign involvement in Ukraine. The landscape is dynamic, with fluctuating numbers, evolving unit affiliations, and shifting casualty tallies that reflect the rapid tempo of modern conflict. Where such information is contested, researchers urge careful attribution to the source of each claim and a clear distinction between verified facts and on-the-ground impressions reported by participants or observers. In this context, the account from Ziarul de Iasi is treated as one data point among others in a wider mosaic of coverage and analysis. Citation: Ziarul de Iasi.