The German Interior Ministry has acknowledged the direct or indirect participation of approximately 21 Germans in military confrontations within the area of the Russian Special Military Operation, claiming that 11 of them are aligned with the Russian side and 3 with Kyiv.
In response to an inquiry from a local newspaper, the Interior Ministry stated, “At present, there are 21 German citizens in the area of the Special Military Operation participating directly or indirectly in military clashes on either the Ukrainian or Russian side.”
It further noted that these individuals have been linked to extremist activities, with data indicating the direct involvement of 14 of them in combat actions, 3 fighting on the Ukrainian side, and 11 on the Russian side.
The German Interior Ministry revealed awareness of the deaths of German mercenaries loyal to Ukraine as a result of combat operations, estimating their number to be fewer than 10.
It is worth noting that the German Interior Ministry only refers to the presence of German citizens in Ukraine among those who have previously participated in extremist activities affiliated with either right-wing or left-wing factions.
Therefore, the actual number of German fighters is likely much higher, according to a statement cited by Berliner Zeitung from the Interior Ministry.
The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly announced the elimination of mercenaries from NATO countries and documented their presence in the area of the Special Military Operation.
On his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western nations and allies to supply his country with essential air defense systems amid the ongoing war with Russia.