Ukrainian officials took journalists to see a new unit formed by Russian volunteers, mostly from ethnic minorities in Siberia, on October 24. Soldiers from these minorities make up a disproportionately large share of men drafted to fight by the Russian Army. A Ukrainian officer said recruits to the new unit were motivated by the desire to fight Russian imperialism, both in Ukraine and in their own homelands.
Ukraine Presents New Unit Formed By Siberian Volunteers
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A group of 20 Russian citizens in Ukrainian uniforms practice firing assault rifles and machine guns at a shooting range outside Kyiv during a military exercise for the newly formed "Siberian Battalion."
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The unit is made up of Russians who have decided to fight against their fellow Russian citizens. They are a varied group: both ethnic Russians with long-standing opposition views and members of minority ethnic groups.
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A Ukrainian military officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said most of the unit's 50 members came from Russia, traveling through third countries to reach Ukraine.
The officer said most of them belong to indigenous peoples of Siberia, and recruits said they wanted to fight against what they said was Russian imperialism, both inside Ukraine and in their homelands.
The officer said most of them belong to indigenous peoples of Siberia, and recruits said they wanted to fight against what they said was Russian imperialism, both inside Ukraine and in their homelands.
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Gennady, 29, came from Russia's Republic of Buryatia to join the battalion.
He said many people in Buryatia were forcibly mobilized by Russia, while others were tempted by salaries that could be more than ten times the average in the region.
He said many people in Buryatia were forcibly mobilized by Russia, while others were tempted by salaries that could be more than ten times the average in the region.
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Military analysts say that Buryatia, as well as some other Russian regions which are home to indigenous peoples, have provided a disproportionately large number of soldiers for Russia's war effort.
The Free Buryatia Foundation, a civil society group, has said the drive to mobilize Buryats was a political choice, as the Kremlin saw Buryatia as posing less of a risk in terms of anti-government protests.
The Free Buryatia Foundation, a civil society group, has said the drive to mobilize Buryats was a political choice, as the Kremlin saw Buryatia as posing less of a risk in terms of anti-government protests.
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Vargan, 34, came from Russia's Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to join the battalion.
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This man did not give his name, only his nickname, Uyghur.
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Members of the unit load ammunition into magazines.
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"Siberian Battalion" members practicing at a shooting range.
Their commander, a Ukrainian who introduced himself by the call sign Batya, said some of the recruits were now ready for battle.
Their commander, a Ukrainian who introduced himself by the call sign Batya, said some of the recruits were now ready for battle.
