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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
World
Thomas O Falk

Ukraine war: Why is Russia encouraging foreign fighters to join?

Service members of pro-Russian troops are seen atop tanks on the outskirts of the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine on March 20, 2022 [Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters]

On March 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin threw his support behind a plan to recruit what he characterised as eager foreign volunteer fighters to join his forces in Ukraine and “help the people who live in the Donbas”.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said 16,000 troops were ready to assist Russia in combat, which came as unfavourable news for Ukrainians.

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