Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to sending voluntary fighters to Ukraine. Russia claims to have received over 16,000 “applications,” mostly from the Middle East.
Defense Minister Sergei Shojgu states that many of the applicants are people who helped Russia in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), according to a report published by the Kremlin on Friday.
Shojgu is also quoted as saying that these fighters want to take part in what they see as a liberation movement along with the Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. The report also allegedly states that Putin told Shoigu that Russia must help the volunteers reach the “battle zones.”
The volunteer fighters are portrayed as a contrast to what Putin calls “foreign mercenaries” on the Ukrainian side of the war.
In 2015, Russia provided military support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime. The Russian support quickly led to the regime gaining a military advantage and eventually recapturing most of the rebel-held areas.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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