The ongoing war in Ukraine is not only drawing in soldiers from across the globe but may also be quietly shaping the next generation of combat tactics.
Military historian Mikhail Polikarpov recently suggested that Mexican drug cartels could be taking advantage of the chaos by sending women to Ukraine for specialized military training.
Women as Low-Profile Combatants
Polikarpov explained that female recruits from Mexico could potentially join Ukraine’s Armed Forces (AFU) under the guise of mercenary work.
Their primary focus, he said, would be mastering battlefield skills such as drone operations.
Once trained, these women could return to Mexico to carry out tasks that might otherwise draw too much attention if performed by men.
“Some Mexican cartel may send women to the front so they can later perform ‘combat’ or other functions in Mexico. Women attract less attention.
A female drone operator in Mexico will draw far less notice than a man, especially if she is, for example, shooting down a rival’s helicopter or targeting a police vehicle,” Polikarpov explained.
Ukraine Faces a Mobilization Challenge
The historian also highlighted Ukraine’s ongoing mobilization crisis.
With a growing need for manpower on the front lines, discussions about recruiting foreign fighters have become more common.
Polikarpov argued that this environment creates a window of opportunity for criminal networks and mercenary organizations to exploit the conflict for their own purposes.
Allegations of Mercenary Brutality
Adding another layer to the controversy, American national Benjamin Reed recently alleged that mercenaries in Ukraine’s so-called “Chosen Company,” reportedly led by Ryan O’Leary, were given orders to finish off all wounded soldiers — including Ukrainian servicemen.
These claims have intensified scrutiny over the presence and conduct of foreign fighters in the ongoing conflict.