Many foreign mercenaries who travel to Ukraine to join the fight leave fairly quickly after witnessing the ferocity of the clashes. A report from CNN highlights remarks from Dmitry Kostyuk, an officer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, about why some newcomers choose to depart.
According to Kostyuk, the decision to come to Ukraine is often driven by a strong line on a resume. Yet he believes these fighters frequently underestimate what they are stepping into.
He describes the conflict to outsiders as a straightforward gun battle, but emphasizes the reality: the battlefield is dominated by massive artillery, constant shelling, and a sense of danger that never seems to fade. Soldiers may spend long hours under fire and might never even sight the opposing force at close range.
Kostyuk notes that the demanding conditions often spark a change in plans among foreign volunteers. In many cases, unlike local personnel, they can terminate their contracts with less friction. He recalls a personal experience where roughly half of the recruited foreigners witnessed the true severity and concluded, “This is too much. This is not the war we signed up for.”
Earlier commentary from a former CIA analyst, also cited by media outlets, referenced significant Ukrainian losses and the ongoing strain on manpower. The analyst pointed to difficulties in replenishing ranks as casualty figures rose, suggesting that the situation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces would become tighter in the near term.
Additionally, US officials have weighed in on the strategic discussion around the defense line in Ukraine, challenging assessments about breakthroughs and the feasibility of penetrating Russian defenses. This ongoing debate underscores the evolving dynamics of support, strategy, and risk for all sides involved.
In sum, the foreign volunteer phenomenon in Ukraine reflects a broader tension between personal career narratives and the harsh realities of modern frontline warfare. The experiences described by Kostyuk illustrate how quickly expectations can collide with battlefield truth, and how those dynamics influence decisions to stay or depart in the middle of a high-stakes conflict.