FEATURED
Russian-backed Rebel Fighters Move In As Putin Seeks Foreign Volunteers
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for foreign volunteers to be able to fight against Ukrainian forces.
Speaking at a Russian security council meeting, he said those who wanted to volunteer to fight with Russia-backed forces should be allowed to.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said there were 16,000 volunteers in the Middle East ready to fight alongside Russia-backed forces.
US officials said these could include Syrians skilled in urban combat.
Moscow is a long-standing ally of Syria and Mr Putin has been a key backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s civil war.
“If you see that there are these people who want of their own accord, not for money, to come to help the people living in Donbas, then we need to give them what they want and help them get to the conflict zone,” Mr Putin told his defence minister.
Mr Shoigu also proposed handing over captured Western anti-tank missile systems to Russian-backed rebel fighters in the breakaway Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in the Donbas region.
“Please do this,” Mr Putin said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, responding in a video message, said “thugs from Syria” would be coming to kill people “in a foreign land”.
Foreign fighters, including former and current British army personnel, have also been arriving in Ukraine to fight for the government in Kyiv.
Mr Zelensky said recently that 16,000 foreigners had volunteered for the cause, part of what he called an “international legion”.
(BBC report, excluding headline)
Nigeria Police to Receive Specialized U.S. Training, Modern Operational Equipment as IGP Meets INL Officials
Group Urges Olu of Warri to Expand Employments at PINL to Forge Inter-ethnic Unity Like Tompolo, Otuaro
Varsity Don Binebai Urges Unity, Peaceful Coexistence Among Ethnic Tribes for Progress in Warri
Kudirat Abiola: I Hold No Grudge Against Anyone — Hamza Al-Mustapha Speaks Out After 28-Year Legal Battle
Chevron/NNPCL JV Unveil Completion of Awodi-07 New Offshore Well in Niger Delta
Court Sentences Lagos Company Over N30.5m Theft from Chevron Contract Staff
Omo-Agege Declares Support for Oborevwori’s ‘Inclusive Governance’ as Delta APC Leaders Meet in Asaba Ahead Party’s Congresses
JUST IN: Kano State Gov, Yusuf Resigns from NNPP
EFCC Strengthens Pact With NEITI in Tackling Extractive Fraud
Presidency Withdraws Dakingari’s Nomination as Ambassador to Turkey in Sudden U-turn
Seplat Energy Names Tony Elumelu Non-Executive Director as Olivier Cleret Bows Out
Delta CP Aina Adesola Kicks Off Familiarisation Tour with Visits to Asaba Area Command, Asagba’s Palace
Police Nab Kidnappers, Cultists, Seize Battle Axe, Pistol, Drugs in Delta
Tinubu Announces Key Diplomatic Postings to France, US, UK, and Turkey Ahead State Visit
