"According to Russian Defense Ministry, approximately 15,000 mercenaries from more than 100 countries have come to Ukraine to fight against Russian military personnel since the beginning of the special military operation," the report read.
European right-wing extremist and neo-Nazi organizations actively recruit mercenaries into the armed forces of Ukraine, adding that the West and Ukraine use US and Polish private military companies, the report said.
"German, Spanish, Czech, UK, Italian, Portuguese right-wing extremist and neo-Nazi organizations are actively recruiting mercenaries. Hence, Western and Ukrainian special services make use of US and Polish private military companies to call up foreigners for military service in Ukraine," Miroshnik noted.
The Russian Defense Ministry has been warning foreign mercenaries against traveling to fight in Ukraine. The ministry says they do not have the status of combatants under international law and are not eligible for prisoner of war status.