The Pentagon said on Monday that Russia was seeking the help of Syrian fighters to “increase its forces in Ukraine”.
US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby reacted this way to reports of alleged Russian efforts to recruit Syrian fighters to assist in the invasion of the neighboring country.
Kirby pointed out that while the US does not have many details on the matter, it is not in a position to “refute” these reports. In an interview with CNN, the spokesperson made further comments.
“We have evidence to support this story that they are indeed trying to enlist and recruit foreign fighters, and we find it considerable that with over 150,000 troops, a military advance stalled inside Ukraine, particularly in the north, Putin found it necessary to try to recruit fighters. foreigners to your war,” Kirby said.
The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that Russia was recruiting Syrian fighters specializing in urban combat to fight in Ukraine as the invasion approaches a phase where there will be battles in cities.
The newspaper, which cited two American officials, also indicated that some Syrian militiamen are already on Russian soil preparing to act in Ukraine.
Russia initiated a military intervention in Syria in 2015 to help the government of Bashar al Assad, which shifted the balance between the parties in favor of Syrian government forces.
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