DONETSK, September 24. /TASS/. A large number of foreign mercenaries, including those from Germany, Colombia, the United States, and France, are fighting alongside the Ukrainian armed forces, Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) said, in response to a question from a Colombian journalist.

"Unfortunately, we are seeing a fairly large number of mercenaries, especially recently, from a number of countries, including Colombia," Pushilin said.

According to Pushilin, personnel shortages, as well as the foreigners’ own need to earn money are the reason for foreigners’ fighting alongside the Ukrainian armed forces. "We are identifying mercenaries not only from Latin American countries, but also from the United States, France, Germany, and a number of other countries," the DPR head stated.

A group of 13 foreign journalists has visited Donbass. Independent journalists, analysts, and commentators from Brazil, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran, Spain, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Madagascar, Pakistan, the United States, and Slovenia were among those who visited the region for the first time.