Colombian Wounded in Russia's Army Asks to Bring Him Home Before He's Sent Back to the Front

Duván Alexis Acosta Flores, a Colombian recruit wounded while serving in Russia's armed forces, recorded a video appeal to Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella asking for help returning home, according to Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project, which published his account. Acosta Flores, from Milán, Caquetá, was wounded by a drone-dropped explosive and is being treated at Surgical Hospital No. 54 in Kazan.

He gave the following testimony:

The full translation of the testimony:

Good afternoon, and greetings to the president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella. I am Duván Alexis Acosta Flores, national ID 117,235,863, issued in Milán, Caquetá, Republic of Colombia. I am recording this video to request help with repatriation to Colombia, as a Colombian citizen who served in the Russian army. I was hit by a drone explosive and I am wounded, hospitalized in Russia, at Surgical Hospital No. 54 in Kazan. My message is simple: I do not want, after I recover, to go back to the battlefield. I'm asking, with an urgent message to President Abelardo de la Espriella, that he please help me and carry out whatever is needed for my repatriation to Colombia. Please - and to show you how I am right now - look. This is how I am at the moment, in the hospital in Kazan, and I'm asking President Abelardo de la Espriella to act as quickly as possible, before I recover, so I can go home. My family is waiting for me. I'm very grateful. Thank you very much.

What "I Want to Live" Added

In its own accompanying post, "I Want to Live" said Acosta Flores was recruited into Russia's army and sent to fight against Ukraine, where he was seriously wounded in both legs after encountering a drone. The project noted that he already understands what is likely waiting for him: once discharged from the hospital, wounded foreign recruits are typically sent back to assault units rather than allowed to leave. As long as someone can still fight, the project said, they are returned to combat, and wounded recruits generally receive only enough treatment to get them back to the front faster. There is no legal route for Russia's foreign recruits for going back home, which is why "I Want to Live" points foreign nationals in his situation toward its own project instead.

A Safe Way Out, For Anyone

Whether you are Russian or a foreign national like Duván - Colombian, or from anywhere else - "I Want to Live" helps anyone serving in Russia's armed forces who wants a safe way to leave. See our FAQ on how to safely surrender to Ukrainian forces to find out more.