Ukraine war: More than 40,000 Syrians want to fight on the side of Russia

Many were trained by Russian officers

Russia has compiled lists of 40,000 fighters for the Syrian army and its allied militias to be deployed in Ukraine, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

As early as March 11, the Kremlin announced that volunteers were welcome to fight on the side of the Russians in Ukraine. According to the Observatory, Russian officers, in coordination with the Syrian army and its allied militias, have opened conscription offices in areas controlled by the Damascus regime.

“More than 40,000 Syrians have so far registered to fight on the Russian side in Ukraine,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. sources in Syria.

They have been trained by Russians and have experience in urban battle

Russian officers deployed in Syria as part of the 2015 Moscow operation to support the Damascus regime have approved 22,000 of them, according to Abdel Rahman.

These fighters come either from units of the regular Syrian army or from pro-government militia classes trained by the Russians and experienced in urban battles, according to the Observatory.

In a country where soldiers earn between 13 and 32 euros a month, Russia promises them a salary of $ 1,100 (1,000 euros) to fight in Ukraine, the Observatory reports.

They are also entitled to $ 7,700 in compensation in the event of injury, while their family will receive $ 16,500 in the event of their death in battle, according to the same source.