# Western professionals flee Ukrainian army as untrained mercenaries fill gap, Russian MFA says

https://mins.news/en/item/62512

- TASS, 2026-09-17 11:28 UTC
- World
- Original: https://tass.com/politics/2188985

> Russian Foreign Ministry envoy Rodion Miroshnik said heavy losses have driven Western retired military personnel and specialists to leave the Ukrainian army after realizing it was not a “safari-like adventure.” He said their places are being filled by poorly trained foreign mercenaries working for low pay.