According to Illia Ponomarenko, a defence writer for the Kyiv Independent, volunteers believed to be former Russian military are being taught to use NLAWS – weapons designed to blow up tanks – by Ukrainians. According to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrsky, hundreds of Russian servicemen defected to the Ukrainian side with tanks and military equipment after realising they were being exploited as “cannon fodder.” This comes amid reports that Russian soldiers were forced to evacuate to Belarus due to massive casualties.
Putin humiliation as Russian troops are ‘switching sides’ to join Ukraine’s forces
According to a source, Russian troops are surrendering and switching sides to fight against Vladimir Putin.
Captured Russian soldiers have even created their own battalions and been pictured training alongside their new Ukrainian comrades.
A video released on the Telegram app showed a man claiming to be a former Russian soldier who is now a member of the new Freedom of Russia legion.
On Wednesday, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced on Telegram that legion leaders are visiting jailed Russian servicemen to choose new recruits.
They further stated that the “first volunteers” had “already began” their training, which includes firearms drills.
“Today, the legion’s troops examined an NLAW grenade launcher under the supervision of Ukrainian Armed Forces instructors,” they stated.
They went on to say that the arrested Russians “stated a collective desire on behalf of all volunteers to perform the first combat against the Putin regime’s guard dogs – the Kadyrovites.”
This refers to Chechen warriors who are loyal to both Putin and the republic’s leader, Ramzan Kadyrov.
