Russia set to send Middle East mercenaries to fight against Ukraine

Russian Defense Minister Serhiy Shoigu says about 16,000 “volunteers” from the Middle East are allegedly ready to take part in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to the Kremlin's website, reporting on Shoigu’s address to the country's Security Council.

It is noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to help volunteers deploy to the "war zone". Putin also approved Shoigu's proposal to hand over air defense equipment, anti-tank missile systems, as well as allegedly available trophy Ukrainian and Western weapons to the military formations of the puppet "republics" in eastern Ukraine.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that as of the morning of March 11, enemy death toll stood at over 12,000. Also, Russian troops lost 353 tanks, 1,165 armored vehicles, 125 artillery systems, and 58 MLR systems. In addition, 31 air defense systems, 57 warplanes, 83 helicopters, 558 vehicles, three vessels, 60 fuel tanks, and seven tactical-level UAVs were destroyed.

On February 24, Russian President Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops simultaneously crossed Ukrainian borders from the north, east, and south (Crimea). They have been destroying cities, killing civilians, shelling key infrastructure and households.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of the entire nation, are courageously resisting aggression.

Ukraine has officially filed a lawsuit against the Russian Federation with the UN International Criminal Court in The Hague.

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