Putin Approves 'Volunteer Fighters' from Middle East to Ukraine
The Kremlin said Friday that fighters from Syria and the Middle East would be allowed to fight for Russia in Ukraine, after President Vladimir Putin backed a plan to send volunteers to battle there.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia's defense minister had said that "most of those who want and who asked (to fight) are citizens of Middle East countries and Syrians".
Russia was a key partner to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad when war broke out, rallying to his side in the conflict in 2015 and turning the tide of the fighting in the regime's favor.
Peskov said the decision to send volunteer fighters to Ukraine was acceptable, claiming that the United States was backing measures to send mercenaries to fight alongside Kyiv's army in Ukraine.
Russia launched a massive military operation in Ukraine late last month, spurring an exodus of refugees in Europe and allegations of war crimes.
"If the West is so enthusiastic about the arrival of mercenaries, then we also have volunteers who want to participate," Peskov told journalists.
Putin backed plans to allow volunteers -- including from abroad -- to fight in Ukraine earlier Friday and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said more than 16,000 mostly Middle Eastern volunteer had appealed to join the military action.
Ukraine has announced the creation foreign volunteer contingents to be integrated into its armed forces to fight Russian forces on its territory.
11 March 2022, 14:44
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Finally comes the solution to Lebanon's Hezbollah problem .... Vlad The Destroyer is going to take them all to be martyred in Ukraine ... As an earlier occupying force used to say, "Thank the gods"
11 March 2022, 21:46
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No country is worth fighting for because in the end, your country will eventually turn on you. My family’s history is made of exiles every century. It started in France in 1789, then my grandad during WWI and now I’m an emigrant. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you I have roots in every region of Europe except the south west.
13 March 2022, 20:22
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My great grandma was Lebanese Jewish, unrelated to Palestine whatsoever. She was the sister of the founder of the recently defunct “le commerce du levant”.
I couldn’t care less if you believe me “whocares123”, I’ve never seen you before. But I do know many posters and readers believe me because I’m always straightforward and truthful.
