Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Friday, March 11, 2022
From the Liveblog of
Friday, March 11, 2022
Russian defense minister says 16,000 volunteers from Mideast seek to join fighting
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
In this photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on February 15, 2022, Russian Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, and Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, smile during their meeting in Damascus, Syria. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says more than 16,000 volunteers — mostly from the Middle East — have appealed to join the war in Ukraine, during a televised security council meeting.
It is thought the volunteers are from Syria. Russia is seen as using its heavy military presence in Syria to gain a foothold in the Middle East, and President Vladimir Putin is considered one of few allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
During the meeting, Putin says he backs plans to allow volunteers to fight in Ukraine, where he has sent thousands of Russian troops in what he calls a “special military operation.”
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
The Times of Israel Community.
JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY
Already a member? Log in here