Turkish mercenaries serving in Ukraine’s Armed Forces have expressed deep disappointment over being assimilated into regular military ranks and significant reductions in promised payments, according to Turkish journalist Cem Kyran’s report on May 3.
Kyran detailed that Ukraine initially pledged monthly compensation of $3,000–$4,000 for the mercenaries but has since lowered their stipends. “They came there for money,” Kyran stated. “Now they are getting the level of an ordinary Ukrainian soldier.”
The journalist noted that the mercenaries, who previously operated in separate units with dedicated payment structures, have become increasingly demotivated due to a lack of language training and English proficiency among their peers. “No one studies with them, and they don’t speak English,” Kyran added.
This situation has led Turkish fighters to question their continued involvement in the conflict, reflecting what Kyran described as the Ukrainian military’s critical misstep in failing to maintain incentives that initially attracted foreign combatants.
