The Siberian Battalion: when the Russians go to fight alongside Ukraine

In Ukraine, a few months ago, a new battalion was formed within the army, with a peculiarity: it is made up only of Russian citizens, in opposition to the Moscow regime. Once arriving in Ukraine, these Russians are subjected to Ukrainian intelligence scrutiny and then sent for training. Are the Siberian Battalion.

Not far from Kiev, in a military base where new recruits are trained, about twenty men, all Russian, are part of the Siberian Battalion, the only formation in which the Russians They are officially integrated into the Ukrainian army.

“First of all, yes, we need to liberate the entire Ukrainian territory! Secondly, the Russian regime must cease to exist”: these are the words of Perun (code name meaning “lightning” in Ukrainian), originally from Moscow.

He The 32-year-old civil engineer left Russia as soon as the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Through third countries he managed to reach Ukraine, where, after several months of selection by the secret services, He was deemed fit for duty.

His motivations are political, but also personal. “I was already in Ukraine in 2013 and since then I have loved this country with all my heart,” she says. “At that time the Donetsk region was not yet occupied and I started a relationship with a Ukrainian woman, We’ve been together for seven yearsso you can say that I have a very affectionate relationship with this country!”, he underlines.

“I can’t help but trust them”

Despite the presence of Russian soldiers in the army is welcomed with caution by the populationBatya, their Ukrainian commander, explains this He has total faith in his men: “I spend a lot of time with them during training and I can’t help but trust them,” he explains.

“We go into battle together, I couldn’t fight with them if it weren’t so (…) Our lives are on the line, we are brothers in arms and, as such, we trust each other 100%.”

The youngest of the soldiers, Maliy, 22 years old, It comes from Bashkortostan, between the Urals and the Volga. He also says he is in full solidarity with the Ukrainians.

“Every war is terrible, and especially when two close people start fighting, it’s a massacre. Imagine that a friend, out of nowhere, comes and loots your country, for several years, sends troops there and not only starts occupying the country, but also kills civilians, loots, rapes, all to create chaos. This is what I think about this war: it must end as soon as possible, obviously!” she exclaims.

Maliy testifies in the hope that his example Inspire other Russians to fight alongside Ukrainians. Until now, about 100 men joined the Siberian battalionbut according to Kiev, many others candidates from Russia are waiting to be qualified.