A Second Complaint Filed with the Panama Public Prosecutor’s Office: Foreign Ministry Raises to 15 the Number of Panamanian Cases in the Russia-Ukraine War
One of the first known cases was that of Dante, a Panamanian who left his country looking for an opportunity and ended up on the front lines of a war that seemed far away.
The sign reads: "Serving Russia is a real job. The contract service is the armed forces." This week Russian President Vladimir Putin doubled a bonus for those who enlist for the war on Ukraine.
The Panamanian Foreign Ministry has raised the total number of tracked national cases linked to the Russia-Ukraine war to 15 following a second legal complaint filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Overview of the Cases
- Deception and Recruitment: Authorities report that Panamanian citizens were allegedly lured or tricked by false job offers to travel to Russia, only to end up forced or drawn into active military combat.
- Formal Investigations: The Panamanian Foreign Ministry and public safety officials are monitoring the situation and working alongside formal legal filings submitted to prosecutors.
Public Warnings
- Citizen Alert: The government urges the public to remain highly vigilant regarding overseas employment offers that promise unrealistic benefits or require travel to active conflict zones.
- Risk to Life: Officials emphasize that these fraudulent recruitment schemes carry extreme, life-threatening dangers.
Carlos Hoyos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Panama’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday, July 24, that it has identified at least 15 Panamanian citizens linked to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a figure that more than doubles the seven cases that had come to light so far. The Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Hoyos Boyd, explained that the Foreign Ministry began to learn about these cases in November 2025 and that, since then, it has maintained diplomatic efforts with Russian authorities to obtain information about the Panamanian citizens involved.
Journey to the Front Lines
Ronnie Dani González Castillo, known as Rony, is a Panamanian mechanic who volunteered to fight for the Ukrainian army against Russia. He sold his car and belongings in Panama to travel to Ukraine, surviving brutal front-line battles and hearing loss from grenade blasts before returning home and later heading back to the conflict.
- The Decision: Rony left his job as a mechanic in Panama, considering the trip an uncertain, life-or-death adventure.
- Combat Reality: He entered the front lines in a unit of 60 fighters, where only 10 survived the first two days.
- Injuries: During training, a close explosion damaged his eardrums, but he continued supporting Ukrainian forces.
Current Status and Official Response
- Return and Back: After spending roughly two years involved with the war effort and visiting family in Panama, he returned to Ukraine to support the country he views as family.
Government Tracking: The Panamanian Foreign Ministry reported that at least 15 Panamanian citizens have been identified as linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
