The Kyiv Independent conducted an investigation revealing serious allegations surrounding the Brazilian-led military unit, named Advance, which fights under Ukraine’s military intelligence. This investigation highlights concerns regarding severe and violent disciplinary practices within the unit, which have been characterized as torture by former members. The tragic death of a 28-year-old recruit, Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva, reportedly following these punitive measures, has raised critical questions about the treatment of foreign fighters in Ukraine.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the unit’s commanding officer, Leanderson Paulino, is implicated not only in oversight of these brutal discipline techniques but also in direct participation. Former fighters recounted harrowing experiences, describing a culture of fear where silence and compliance were enforced brutally. The investigation uncovers the psychological and physical toll exacted on recruits subjected to these practices, which point toward systemic abuse within this military formation.

This troubling revelation extends beyond an individual tragedy, raising significant implications for the broader foreign fighting community in Ukraine. It calls attention to the need for accountability and the protection of human rights among all military units operating within the conflict, as failure to address such abuses can undermine the integrity of the international support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing war efforts.