The first Colombian contingent, led by a team from the Ukrainian GUR’s Artan detachment, traveled by road from Ukraine to Poland before being transported by Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane, operated by Maximus Air Cargo, to the DRC.
Training the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the tactical use of FPV drones (assembly, flight in hostile conditions) to counter the M23 rebel offensive.
This first contingent of Ukrainian and Colombian troops, veterans of the Pokrovsk front line, traveled overland from Ukraine to Poland before being airlifted to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The transport was carried out by an Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane, operated, according to some sources, by Maximus Air Cargo. They landed at Kisangani-Bangoka International Airport, a major logistics and command hub for the Congolese army (FARDC). These operators are being deployed to the Kivu front (Goma region) to train special forces and integrate advanced drone tactics to counter the M23/AFC rebellion, which also uses kamikaze drones against Kisangani Airport.
The teams on the ground include highly experienced personnel from the Ukrainian security elite, notably the Special Operations Executive (SSO), the Alpha Unit of the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine), and the Artan detachment of the GUR (Military Intelligence). In addition to providing economic protection, these teams operate alongside Congolese special forces near the combat zones against the M23 rebels.
This deployment of Ukrainian veterans to Africa is seen as an extension of the conflict against Russia. Kyiv seeks to counter the influence of Russian paramilitary groups (such as the Wagner Group and the Africa Corps) on the continent. These fighters are particularly sought after for their expertise in FPV drones and electronic warfare systems, tools that have become central on the Ukrainian front and are now being exported to African conflicts.
It is worth noting that Erik Prince is also involved in the Ukrainian technology sector, having recently joined the drone startup Swarmer as non-executive chairman to promote their combat software internationally.
Coco Kabwika
