The Siberian battalion: A new Ukraine unit formed entirely of Russians
Siberian Battalion" has been created, composed of Russian nationals who have defected from Vladimir Putin's army, reports Daily Star.
In the almost two years since the initial Ukraine invasion, there have been accounts of Russian troops declining to engage in combat, being pressured into military action, or facing incarceration due to their opposition. However, a significant number of such individuals have now expressed their desire to join the fight alongside Ukrainian forces, reported TOI.
This newly formed Siberian Battalion reportedly have prominent members, including Alexei Makarov, formerly associated with the National Bolshevik political party, and well-known anti-Kremlin Russian activist Ildar Dadin, as reported by AFP.
One of the fighters, known by the call sign «Grecha,» explained his motivation, saying, «I took the decision to get into Ukraine as soon as possible to fight against Russia, against the Putin regime, against imperialism. We need to free Ukraine, the motherland where I was born in Crimea; that's my dream.»
He said, «In Russia at the moment, there is a dictatorship which, of course, I am extremely unhappy about.
Sooner or later, it will be one big concentration camp, basically, it already is.»
Though the precise whereabouts and consequences of the Siberian Battalion are currently undisclosed, their presence may add another layer of complexity for Putin's military. Just this week, it was revealed that the Russian army has suffered significant losses, with estimates approaching 290,000 casualties.
