Mexican Cartels Eye Drone Warfare Training Amid Ukraine Conflict
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has drawn international attention, and now it seems that not only military personnel are involved. Reports indicate that some foreign volunteers, particularly from Mexico, may have ulterior motives as they join the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Ukrainian intelligence service has raised concerns regarding Spanish-speaking individuals who might have infiltrated the International Legion, a unit established by President Volodymyr Zelensky shortly after Russia's invasion began in 2022. This unit has attracted thousands of foreign fighters, eager to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
According to intelligence sources, Mexican and Colombian nationals have enlisted primarily to gain expertise in operating first-person-view (FPV) drones. These drones can be flown directly into targets or used to drop explosives, with operators controlling them remotely from monitoring stations.
Ukrainian intelligence agencies have launched investigations based on warnings from their Mexican counterparts. These investigations focus on a specific unit named 'Ethos,' which is reportedly active in the front-line regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv.
Authorities suspect that some of the volunteers, particularly those from Mexico and Colombia, intend to leverage the skills acquired during their time in Ukraine for the benefit of criminal organizations back home. A Mexican national, who allegedly registered in the Ukrainian army using forged documents in March 2024, has drawn particular attention. His technical proficiency, especially regarding countermeasures for electronic warfare, was notably high, raising suspicions about his background.
Subsequent inquiries suggest that this individual might have connections with elite units of the Mexican military. Reports indicate that drug cartels have been known to recruit personnel from these specialized forces.
To facilitate the infiltration of operatives into the Ukrainian military, criminal organizations appear to be employing extensive logistical efforts, including the creation of false identities, counterfeit documents, and front companies. Ukrainian intelligence has identified a network of private security firms across Latin America involved in this scheme.
Drones have already made their mark in the Mexican drug war, with reports emerging as early as 2021 about the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) conducting aerial attacks using explosives against rivals.
As the war in Ukraine continues to evolve, the intersection of military conflict and organized crime raises significant concerns, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in both regions.