Igor Girkin, the former military commander of the so-called “DPR,” confirmed that some Russians and Ukrainians who fought in Donbas are already in Syria. In an interview for Russian Govorit Moskva radio station, Girkin claimed that a Russian brigade or battalion may be formed within the Syrian governmental forces.
“I probably wouldn’t say that they are volunteers. Maybe because private military companies formed in Donetsk and Luhansk sent [people] to Syria. Meaning, roughly speaking, [they are] mercenaries,” he said.
Girkin believes that fighters are leaving for Syria due to financial benefits. At the same time, he rejected the idea of himself going to Syria. He says he finds it “uninteresting.”
“I think that now the war in Syria is a distraction from the desperate situation [in the] 'Russian republics' in the southeast of Ukraine. I think that volunteers are needed there. If I had an opportunity to form something and return to Donbas, I would do it for free,” he said.
This ends our live blogging for October 5. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our continuing coverage.
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