Russian mercenaries have been stationed in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin claims that it has nothing to do with them – TVNOVINY.sk

Russian mercenaries have deployed in recent weeks in the separatist-controlled region of Donbas in eastern Ukraine. Reuters reported on Thursday, citing four unnamed sources who wanted to remain anonymous for security concerns.

The four men confirmed to the agency that they had received “offers from mercenary recruiters” to go to Donbas. The recruiters allegedly did not tell them “whom they represented”. Two men said they accepted the offer. A third party said it had rejected the offer.

“They gather everyone with combat experience,” the man, who accepted the offer to go to Donbas, told the agency. According to the man, he had previously fought in Ukraine and Syria alongside Russian mercenaries, whose operations “were closely linked to Russia’s strategic interests.” However, he refused to specify what private army he worked for. However, he said he planned to unite with other mercenaries and separatists who controlled the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine. “

“The Kremlin claims it has nothing to do with private Russian military contractors, whose agents it describes as volunteers without any connection to the state,” Reuters writes.

The agency asked Moscow for an opinion. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he “heard it for the first time” and did not know “to what extent these claims are reliable.”

Peskov added that there are “no and never have” any Russian forces or military advisers in eastern Ukraine and that Moscow is not considering sending them. However, Kiev questions this and claims that Russian military forces are present in Donbas, Reuters concludes.