Russia Recruiting Syrians for Urban Combat in Ukraine, U.S. Officials Say

[dalton99a]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-recruiting-syrians-for-urban-combat-in-ukraine-u-s-officials-say-11646606234

Russia Recruiting Syrians for Urban Combat in Ukraine, U.S. Officials Say
Moscow is looking for help from foreign fighters to take cities including Kyiv
By Gordon Lubold, Nancy A. Youssef and Alan Cullison
March 6, 2022 5:37 pm ET

WASHINGTON — Moscow is recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to fight in Ukraine as Russia’s invasion is poised to expand deeper into cities, according to U.S. officials.

An American assessment indicates that Russia, which has been operating inside Syria since 2015, has in recent days been recruiting fighters from there, hoping their expertise in urban combat can help take Kyiv and deal a devastating blow to the Ukraine government, according to four American officials. The move points to a potential escalation of fighting in Ukraine, experts said.

According to a publication based in Deir Ezzor, Syria, Russia has offered volunteers from the country between $200 and $300 “to go to Ukraine and operate as guards” for six months at a time. ...

Syrian fighters have spent nearly a decade fighting urban warfare, while Russia’s largely conscripted force lacks this skill set. Ms. Cafarella said Syrian forces deployed to Ukraine could also be asked to work a support role, based on how they worked in Syria with the Wagner Group, a mercenary force that some see as a proxy for the Russian government.

[bluestarone]

1. really pisses me off!

God DAM KILL PUTIN!!!

[Wingus Dingus]

2. Did the Chechens not work out?

Edit to add: really shows Russian confidence in their own military operation, doesn't it?

[OnDoutside]

4. They're having difficulty in recruiting young Russians, that's why

they're trying to recruit elsewhere.

[Wingus Dingus]

6. They're also trying to put a foreign/Muslim face onto the carnage.

It's diabolical.

[Wingus Dingus]

5. Also: US, offer these would-be Syrian mercenaries even more money

to stay home. Or to fight FOR Ukraine, if they're already there.

[DFW]

3. I hope this gets hacked into the Russian media as well

Putin invades a country far smaller than his own, and then has to recruit hired Arab killer mercenaries because his own troops aren‘t up to the brutal task he wants them to perform? How much longer are the Russians going to stand behind a leader like that?

[Nevilledog]

7. Syrians are less familiar with Ukrainian cities than the Russians. More cannon fodder.

[Quixote1818]

10. Agree. Totally stupid idea. nt

[Nevilledog]

11. And a huge tell. They don't have Russian troops to send.

[crickets]

14. 👆 This. Putin is running out of people.

He's running out of trucks, too.

[iemanja]

8. Like Syrians don't have their own problems to deal with.

[Phoenix61]

9. What are they going to pay them with? Rubles? nt

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

12. K&R

[lpbk2713]

13. Bring your own food.

The Russian troops are going hungry.