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On February 14, 2024, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, also known as the "GUR MOU," published. on its website[1], Facebook page[2] and Telegram channel,[3] lists of what it claimed to be Syrian nationals who were recruited by Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine.
Names And Ages
Photos of those listed showed names of 141 "Syrian mercenaries" who were recruited by Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine.
The lists, which were written in Arabic, displayed each fighter's first name, father and mothers' names, and the year of the recruit's birth. The birth years ranged from 1973-2000.
Training in Aleppo
Commenting on these lists, the Ministry website wrote: "As you know, the Russians are recruiting Syrians to participate in hostilities against Ukraine through travel agencies, and the training takes place at a military base near the city of Aleppo and the Kuweires airfield," which is situated 30 kilometers east of the city of Aleppo.
The GUR MOU concluded its statement by writing: that "there will be a just retribution for every war crime committed against Ukraine."
[1] Gur.gov.ua/content/spysky-naimantsiv-iz-syrii-zaverbovanykh-moskvoiu-na-viinu-proty-ukrainy.html.
[2] Facebook, February 14, 2024.
[3] Telegram, February 14, 2024.
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