Putin Allows 16,000 Volunteers from Middle East to Join Russia’s War in Ukraine

MOSCOW, KOMPAS.com – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (11/3/2022) allowed about 16,000 volunteers from the Middle East to be deployed with Russia-backed rebels to fight in Ukraine.

The move — more than two weeks since Putin ordered the invasion — allows Russia to deploy reliable mercenaries from conflicts like Syria without risking additional Russian military casualties.

At a meeting of the Russian Security Council, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said there were 16,000 volunteers in the Middle East ready to come to fight alongside Russian-backed forces in the breakaway Donbass region of eastern Ukraine.

Also read: Russia reportedly recruits Syrian troops to fight in Ukraine

“If you see that there are people who want of their own accord, not for money, to come to the aid of the people living in the Donbass, then we need to give them what they want and help them get to the conflict zone,” he said. Putin in the Kremlin, quoted from Reuters.

Shoigu also proposed that Western-made Javelin and Stinger missiles seized by the Russian army in Ukraine should be handed over to Donbass forces, along with other weaponry such as a portable air defense system known as MANPADS, and an anti-tank rocket complex.

“Regarding the delivery of weapons, especially Western-made weapons that fell into the hands of the Russian army – of course, I support the possibility of giving them to the military units of the Luhansk and Donetsk people’s republics,” Putin said.

“Please do this,” he continued to Shoigu.

The conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was broadcast on Russian state television.

Russian Invasion to Ukraine on Friday (11/3/2022) marks the 16th day since Putin announced a special military operation on February 24.

Also read: Putin’s War Series Before Russia vs Ukraine and the Tactics He Used

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