Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Security official of Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah: We reiterate that the involvement of the American enemy in this war will bring upon it unprecedented calamities and destruction
Security official of Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah: Iran possesses the capabilities for resilience, enabling it to continue launching rockets for more than a year
Israeli media: Sirens are sounding near the Dead Sea after unrecognized aircraft were detected
Russian President Vladimir Putin: Russia had supplied Iran with military hardware, it is not linked to current crisis and it is not in breach of international laws
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: One person was martyred and three others were wounded in a raid carried out by an Israeli drone targeting a motorcycle in Kfar Jouz near Nabatieh
Putin: I don't even want to discuss the possibility of the US 'killing Khamenei'
Tasnim News Agency: Air defenses downed an Israeli Hermes-type drone in western Iran
Putin: We discussed the details of the proposal with the American and Israeli sides and sent certain signals to our friends
Russian President Vladimir Putin: Russia has presented a proposal to stop the war that guarantees Iran's nuclear interests and addresses Israel's security concerns
Iranian TV: The 13th wave of Operation True Promise 3 is underway, heavy ballistic missiles are being launched

Spanish contractor pays mercenaries $3,600 to fight in Ukraine

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Sep 2023 20:25
5 Min Read

A Spanish contractor is paying Western mercenaries $3,600 to fight in Ukraine as the latter continues to incur major losses in light of its faltering counteroffensive.

  • x
  • A soldier of Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade goes past a Russian-destroyed APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in Donetsk, Sept. 4, 2023 (AP)
    A soldier of Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade goes past a Russian-destroyed APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in Donetsk, Sept. 4, 2023 (AP)

Amid the Ukrainian counteroffensive that is being staunchly repelled by the Russian armed forces, the International Legion, an international group of mercenaries seeking to aid Kiev's forces in the war effort, is continuing to try and bolster their ranks amid the waning forces. 

Read next: Ukraine’s counteroffensive is 'running back into stalemate': Reports

Spanish-based G.O.A. Tactical, the sole company in Spain specializing in training mercenaries for Ukraine, is trying to recruit more troops to join the war effort. 

The mercenaries are put through rigorous testing that, reportedly, many drop out after the first course, which involves sleep deprivation, among many other straining exercises.

Those wishing to go to the Ukrainian frontlines have to incur a fee of €700 ($750) to undergo five days of training for a chance of getting to sign a contract with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense that is worth around €3,400 ($3,600) if they manage to join the elite units.

In addition to sleep-deprivation tests, candidates must endure exercises like sprinting with military gear, capturing and clearing occupied trenches, and facing stress tests in hostile environments.

Francisco Galván, director and head trainer of G.O.A. Tactical, clarified the role of his company in this process, stating, "Our company has contacts with defense ministries all over the world, including Ukraine. What we do is evaluate a person who is interested in fighting and give them the contacts so they can get in touch with them."

However, he underlined that it is the volunteer's responsibility to directly initiate contact with the Ukrainian authorities. Upon verification of their qualifications and validation certificates, successful candidates can secure employment in the Ukrainian armed forces.

According to the director, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense tasked mercenaries who had gone back to Spain to recruit people to fight in the war.

Read next: British mercenary admits to killing Russians in Ukraine conflict

Related News

Trump says US possesses bombs to strike Iran's Fordow nuclear facility

'Israel' may stage false flag to force US into Iran war, experts warn

Ukraine, in light of its faltering counteroffensive, urgently needs more troops as it loses soldiers at an abysmal rate. There are approximately 500,000 personnel serving in the armed forces, with US military intelligence estimating that Ukraine has incurred 190,000 casualties since the start of the war.

Ukraine loses over 66,000 military, 7,600 weapons since the counteroffensive started

Since the start of the counteroffensive, the Ukrainian army has lost around 66,000 military personnel and 7,600 weapons, Shoigu said.

"Since the beginning of the so-called offensive, enemy losses have exceeded 66,000 people and 7,600 weapons," he said.

Over the previous month, Russian air defense systems had also destroyed 13 cruise missiles, over 1,000 unmanned aerial vehicles, and 159 HIMARS rockets, he added.

"The Russian armed forces continue to destroy the military infrastructure of Ukraine with precision strikes. Over the past month alone, 34 command posts of the Ukrainian armed forces ... were hit."

In July, White House National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, considered that it was premature to judge the outcome of Kiev's counteroffensive, adding that while losing "significant" soldiers, Ukrainian forces still have "substantial" reserves to deploy in combat.

Responding to a question on whether the "real counteroffensive is yet to come," Sullivan indicated that "there have already been significant amounts of casualties and deaths of Ukrainian fighters in this counteroffensive, so it is well underway. And it is hard going. And we said it would be hard going."

It is worth noting that American political scientist John Mearsheimer said in an interview transcribed by The Grayzone: "It seems to me that anybody who knows anything about military tactics and strategy had to understand that there was hardly any chance that the Ukrainian counteroffensive would succeed."

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Western supporters of Kiev are disappointed with the results of Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia, pointing out that despite the supply of weapons and foreign mercenaries, the Ukrainian forces have not been successful in breaking through the Russian army's front lines.

The International Legion is operating under the oversight of Ukrainian intelligence, with the Ministry of Defense launching in 2022 a program to integrate the mercenaries into its ranks.

Candidates who secure frontline positions can anticipate monthly salaries of €2,800 ($3,000), while administrative roles offer around €1,800 ($1,927) per month. The most coveted positions are within elite units, where soldiers can earn up to €3,400 monthly.

Read next: Possible strike on Western mercs gathering in Kramatorsk: Footage

  • United States
  • Nato
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Ukraine
  • mercenaries
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Trump on Iran strikes: 'I may do it, I may not do it'
US & Canada

Trump on potential of strikes on Iran: 'I may do it, I may not do it'

Poll: Trump voters say no to war with Iran
MENA

Majority of Trump supporters say no to war on Iran: Poll

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, visits the Muscat International Book Fair in Oman, Friday, April 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Iran denies media reports on delegation landing in Oman for talks

US President Donald Trump, left, and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer attend a family photo session during the G7 Summit, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Britain weighing military support to US in event of strike on Iran

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS