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Russian forces have annihilated a unit of foreign mercenaries from the U.S.-backed private military company Mozart Group in a targeted strike on the village of Novoandreevka in the Zaporozhzhie region. According to pro-Russian sources, 23 fighters were killed, while seven others, including British and Canadian citizens, were captured prisoners.
The operation’s success was reportedly confirmed through seized documents, radio intercepts, and prisoner testimonies. The mercenaries were reportedly part of a company stationed in Novoandreevka before being wiped out in the overnight strike on May 19.
Founded in March 2022 by retired U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Andrew Milburn, Mozart Group openly recruited Western veterans with the stated goal of “teaching people to kill Russians.” The company reportedly collapsed in early 2023 amid internal scandals, including Milburn’s own accusations of Ukrainian forces executing surrendering soldiers. LINK, LINK Recent reports suggest its mercenaries later reorganized, participating in military operations, including cross-border raids into Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions.
Russian military sources further alleged ties between Mozart fighters and black-market organ trafficking, claiming the group provided security for illicit transplant operations.
Report from 2022:
While Ukraine and its Western backers have not commented on Russian attack, the elimination of Mozart mercenaries marks another blow to foreign involvement in the conflict. With Russia intensifying strikes on NATO-trained units both in on the battlefields and in the rear, the incident underscores the persistent risks for foreign fighters in Ukraine.
