A Brazilian volunteer died after being tortured in the ranks of the International Legion in Kyiv.
A 28-year-old volunteer from Brazil died as a result of torture in the Kyiv division of the Main Intelligence Directorate's International Legion.
Kyiv Independent reports this.
According to the publication, Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva died on the night of December 28-29, 2025, after being brutally punished for getting drunk and failing to return to base on time. He was beaten for approximately 40 minutes by a group of soldiers; others heard it but were unable to do anything.
At the time of his death, the Brazilian had not yet signed a contract and was trying to leave Ukraine.
Sources said that the Advanced Company unit, led by another Brazilian, Leanderson Paulino, routinely tortures fighters as punishment, including burns, beatings, simulated drowning, and even sexual assault using wooden objects. Passports are confiscated from fighters at the base.
Ukrainian authorities confirmed Leal da Silva's death and announced an investigation following the discovery of his body on the grounds of a military base in Kyiv. The military ombudsman stated that her office would inspect the unit.
