Russian mercenaries helping Assad against Syrian rebels

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russian mercenaries helping assadIronically in the very week when amendments to the Russian Criminal Code stiffened the penalties for citizens in “illegal armed units” fighting abroad in a clear move against jihadists heading for Syria to join the rebels, it emerged that Russian mercenaries were working for the Assad regime.

The changes to Article 208 of the Criminal Code, on “The Organization of, or Participation in, Illegal Armed Units,” stipulates a new maximum prison term of six years. It reflects an awareness that jihadists from the turbulent North Caucasus are fighting alongside the rebels. According to Sergei Smirnov, first deputy director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), there are currently 300-400 Russian citizens participating in the rebellion, whom Moscow habitually calls “mercenaries” even though they appear driven by religious fervor rather than profit.

Since October, though, serious reports from rebel sources have been circulating alleging the presence of Russian mercenaries supporting the Syrian government. The Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, claimed to have killed several when it attacked a convoy of reinforcements heading to Al-Sukhnah in eastern Syria. They further released documents, pictures and a video they claimed were captured show a killed mercenary, one Aleksei Malyuta.

An investigation by the St Petersburg newspaper Fontanka—which has since been translated into English by The Interpreter—proved on the one hand that Malyuta was alive and well, but on the other that a private military company (PMC) called the Slavic Corps had indeed been engaged to provide armed support. The claim was that they were purely providing guard services to free up regime troops, but given the relative quality of veteran Russian mercenaries (the Corps boasts of hiring men with “experience of work in Iraq, Afghanistan, Eastern Africa, Tajikistan, Northern Caucasus, Serbia etc”) with the demoralized and under-trained Syrian regulars, this would hardly seem especially cost-effective.

Assad putin supportRussia is already relaxing its controls on corporate security forces and deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has floated the notion of state-supported PMCs that could act as additional tools of the Kremlin. Although the details of the nature and ownership of the Slavic Corps is unclear (there is a Slavic Corps Ltd registered in Hong Kong, and the Moran Security Group that appears to have contracted them), its own website specifically notes that it obtains government clearance before undertaking operations and Moran is run by a former KGB and FSB officer. In short, it is difficult to sustain any notion that at the very least the Russian government gave this its blessing.

This comes in the context of a range of covert and semi-covert forms of support being extended to Damascus, from banking services to weapons and everything in between. Russian military technicians appear to be working in Syria’s air defense system, GRU military intelligence are helping their Syrian counterparts and the Foreign Intelligence Service’s Zaslon special forces are reportedly there if need be to protect Moscow’s interests. However, at a time when the Kremlin may be looking to introduce a little plausible deniability into the scale of its support for Assad, mercenaries may prove an increasingly appealing alternative.

$4000/month

St Petersburg newspaper Fontanka interviewed some mercenaries who said that they were lured by a promise to get $4,000 per month and a solemn oath that the first salary would be transferred within days.

They were taken on a flight to Beirut, Lebanon and from there they were transferred by cars to Damascus. When they reached the Syrian border they traveled with a convoy of local guardsmen. In Damascus they were taken to a local hotel. The following day they were transferred by a plane to Latakia, and from there to a Syrian military base.

What happened next? Fontanka quotes one of those mercenaries as saying:

The large field between Latakia and Tartous was surrounded by barbed wire. There were Syrian reservists and our battalion. Previously, it was a race track. We were housed in the former stables. By October, there were 267 people from Slavic Corps, split into two companies. One company was staffed by Cossacks and the other by people from all over Russia, there were about 10-12 guys from St. Petersburg. As the commanders said, the the Syrian corps was expected to reach about 2,000 people.

Photo: Militants from the “Slavic Corps”, who are fighting in Syria on the side of the Assad regime

Blouin News / Fontanka

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58 responses to “Russian mercenaries helping Assad against Syrian rebels”

  1. Its no good news for Russia Iran and Hezbushaitan. Invasion throughout the history never was successful. The invading Pigs are defeated sooner or later. They can subdue the population for some times. The British empire invaded Afghanistan four times and was utterly defeated , the Russians and 67+ countries coalition force for the last 11 years are going to pull out without much success.Can they keep Hamid Karzai and Nuri Maliki? The Russian couldnt keep their puppet Najibullah. Same result will be in Syria , a total defeat for Iran Russia and Hezbushaitan. But thats not all because Europe ,America and other powerful countries then invade Syria in order to prevent the rebel attack on Israel. But again invasion is bad for any invading Pigs. They are there to be defeated.

    1. al-arabiya a saudi news channel informed that Assad is gaining grounds in Syria…you mean to say saudi paper is a lier?

      1. The real lebanese Avatar
        The real lebanese

        I think he’s trying to say they cant control the fire forever

        1. might be he is patriotic that hides truth or unable to accept it..but when the same is written in Saudi paper we need to re-think…hope Wargame1 will correct himself

      2. Al-Arabia told the truth. In a war there are ups and downs and the Syrian regime backed by Iran and Russia should have gained their ground long before because the USA and Europe imposed an arms embargo on the rebel while allowing Russia Iran and Hezbushaitan supply Arms and man power. Assad Iran Russia etc will lose in the end but before that event happens they may have some temporary gain such as Al-Queser victory.
        Some other external factor may boost Assads gain even more. Such as “The battle of Alexandria” in Egypt and a small unrest in Egypt which is happening now. We will talk about it on due time. In the end of the day the Iranians Russian need to go home after a defeat.

        1. only concern is that people are suffereing…Syrian women are been sold cheap
          By the way now Turkey is also staying back..only Saudi is helping Syrian Sunni’s so i feel that the liberation is totally lost and i am against ur lost words 😉
          For me this is what confuse me – muslim brother kill a lot and murder a lot among themselves in huge numbers but when israel kill just 1 that become a great news in the whole world…why so?

          1. You are a moron to understand the human suffering. Let the Muslims solve their problem as the way they want. If you don’t like it them fight them and make your way. Keep your religion with you. I didn’t ask you to be a Muslim or be part of it. Mind your own business and witness how the Syrian rebel will punish those who come after them. The total Israel and Palestine affair is hijacked by the Persian invading Pigs. They wipe out Israel from the Map by mouth and kill the sunnis in real life.

          2. hahhaa…couldn’t able to digest my questions ..Sunni are lost in terms of Syria…they are big in number but brainless in battle…i read 70% of Syria is Sunnis…but 3yrs past still not thrown Assad…reason no unity…beautiful Syria turning to Islamist…thatz the reason i said even if they come..people will be like Afghan [women will be illiterate…might be gents too]

          3. You are not a sunni so you do not need to worry about them. If they dont have brain then you use your own brain to understand that it is not your problem. Now if the sunnis win the war then you minority need to get along with them. So you need to use your brain to learn how to survive being a minority. Your foreign daddy USA Russia Europe are becoming bankrupt and they tried in the past and lost in all crusade and now they may try again and they will lose again. At the end of the day you need to learn how to live with the majority. Those majority rejected your faith and reverted to Islam and more will revert to Islam. So you will remain a nagging and whining minority with no avail….Loser

          4. Amen..i said that i accept that i am not Sunni..if Sunni win or Shiite win what am i going to do living here in India?
            Bible says that never argue with F00ls…you prove that bible words are true
            Few for their won benefit say Sunni’s are great and need to die for it, without brain one group follow them…the next group Shiite is great and the same happens…only brainless fight[sufferers are poor people…keep the people out and then you all fight…we enjoy the entertainment]

          5. 5thDrawer Avatar

            Errrr .. can I talk to you about a phone-problem I have … ? ;-)))

          6. hahahaha…

  2. Its no good news for Russia Iran and Hezbushaitan. Invasion throughout the history never was successful. The invading Pigs are defeated sooner or later. They can subdue the population for some times. The British empire invaded Afghanistan four times and was utterly defeated , the Russians and 67+ countries coalition force for the last 11 years are going to pull out without much success.Can they keep Hamid Karzai and Nuri Maliki? The Russian couldnt keep their puppet Najibullah. Same result will be in Syria , a total defeat for Iran Russia and Hezbushaitan. But thats not all because Europe ,America and other powerful countries then invade Syria in order to prevent the rebel attack on Israel. But again invasion is bad for any invading Pigs. They are there to be defeated.

    1. al-arabiya a saudi news channel informed that Assad is gaining grounds in Syria…you mean to say saudi paper is a lier?

      1. The real lebanese Avatar
        The real lebanese

        I think he’s trying to say they cant control the fire forever

        1. might be he is patriotic that hides truth or unable to accept it..but when the same is written in Saudi paper we need to re-think…hope Wargame1 will correct himself

      2. Al-Arabia told the truth. In a war there are ups and downs and the Syrian regime backed by Iran and Russia should have gained their ground long before because the USA and Europe imposed an arms embargo on the rebel while allowing Russia Iran and Hezbushaitan supply Arms and man power. Assad Iran Russia etc will lose in the end but before that event happens they may have some temporary gain such as Al-Queser victory.
        Some other external factor may boost Assads gain even more. Such as “The battle of Alexandria” in Egypt and a small unrest in Egypt which is happening now. We will talk about it on due time. In the end of the day the Iranians Russian need to go home after a defeat.

        1. only concern is that people are suffereing…Syrian women are been sold cheap
          By the way now Turkey is also staying back..only Saudi is helping Syrian Sunni’s so i feel that the liberation is totally lost and i am against ur lost words 😉
          For me this is what confuse me – muslim brother kill a lot and murder a lot among themselves in huge numbers but when israel kill just 1 that become a great news in the whole world…why so?

          1. You are a moron to understand the human suffering. Let the Muslims solve their problem as the way they want. If you don’t like it them fight them and make your way. Keep your religion with you. I didn’t ask you to be a Muslim or be part of it. Mind your own business and witness how the Syrian rebel will punish those who come after them. The total Israel and Palestine affair is hijacked by the Persian invading Pigs. They wipe out Israel from the Map by mouth and kill the sunnis in real life.

          2. hahhaa…couldn’t able to digest my questions ..Sunni are lost in terms of Syria…they are big in number but brainless in battle…i read 70% of Syria is Sunnis…but 3yrs past still not thrown Assad…reason no unity…beautiful Syria turning to Islamist…thatz the reason i said even if they come..people will be like Afghan [women will be illiterate…might be gents too]

          3. You are not a sunni so you do not need to worry about them. If they dont have brain then you use your own brain to understand that it is not your problem. Now if the sunnis win the war then you minority need to get along with them. So you need to use your brain to learn how to survive being a minority. Your foreign daddy USA Russia Europe are becoming bankrupt and they tried in the past and lost in all crusade and now they may try again and they will lose again. At the end of the day you need to learn how to live with the majority. Those majority rejected your faith and reverted to Islam and more will revert to Islam. So you will remain a nagging and whining minority with no avail….Loser

          4. Amen..i said that i accept that i am not Sunni..if Sunni win or Shiite win what am i going to do living here in India?
            Bible says that never argue with F00ls…you prove that bible words are true
            Few for their won benefit say Sunni’s are great and need to die for it, without brain one group follow them…the next group Shiite is great and the same happens…only brainless fight[sufferers are poor people…keep the people out and then you all fight…we enjoy the entertainment]

          5. 5thDrawer Avatar

            Errrr .. can I talk to you about a phone-problem I have … ? ;-)))

          6. hahahaha…

  3. The real lebanese Avatar
    The real lebanese

    Russia wants in on the fun too. This might just raise the death toll another 50,000 by the end of the war.

    1. Basically Syrians are brainless
      1] They kill their won people [Egypt army came back to sense and stopped at one stage and threw Mubarak out]
      2] Libyans got the help from NATO to throw Gidaffy…less loss of life got liberated

      Brainless:
      FACT 1: FSA proud headed said they no need invasion just arm support what happened still dragging couldn’t able to over throw…now Isamist are gaining power and they took over from FSA…basically FSA is a dummy now [like that of Lebanese Army before Hizbullah]

      FACT 2: Syrian army rape/kidnap/imprision/torcher opposition, it’s own people

      so based on 2 facts it is clear that Syrian people are the brainless people in the civilized community

      1. The real lebanese Avatar
        The real lebanese

        I wouldn’t say brainless, just helpless. Its a similar situation to Lebanon.

        But yes, everyday the FSA is losing its influence because extremists are multiplying. If the West would’ve armed them we wouldn’t be facing the dilemma we are today.

        1. boss i am from India…i am not bothered about Lebanon or Syria or Saudi…but why did they said that they don’t what otherz to invade? pride headed right na? how can they say this…they considered it is strong don’t say helpless…it is brainless Turkey/Qutar/Sauid/Egypt everyone said [including syrian oppostion] they don’t want foreign invation…but look at libya nwo they are cool…the people who said Turkey/Egypt/Quatar never gave support..only Saudi is bold…i consider FSA as a Foolish Syrian Army

          1. The real lebanese Avatar
            The real lebanese

            Yes, but also look at Iraq. It is still torn apart.

          2. reason…don’t look over failed state brother…if you want to grow you need to look over the success…if you look at failure of others your improvement will stop..look how libya is growing…i can that there is still fighting in Libya…but it has reduced…In Iraq there is not power sharing between Shiites and Sunni…if this is done..sure it can be transformed

  4. The real lebanese Avatar
    The real lebanese

    Russia wants in on the fun too. This might just raise the death toll another 50,000 by the end of the war.

    1. Basically Syrians are brainless
      1] They kill their won people [Egypt army came back to sense and stopped at one stage and threw Mubarak out]
      2] Libyans got the help from NATO to throw Gidaffy…less loss of life got liberated

      Brainless:
      FACT 1: FSA proud headed said they no need invasion just arm support what happened still dragging couldn’t able to over throw…now Isamist are gaining power and they took over from FSA…basically FSA is a dummy now [like that of Lebanese Army before Hizbullah]

      FACT 2: Syrian army rape/kidnap/imprision/torcher opposition, it’s own people

      so based on 2 facts it is clear that Syrian people are the brainless people in the civilized community

      1. The real lebanese Avatar
        The real lebanese

        I wouldn’t say brainless, just helpless. Its a similar situation to Lebanon.

        But yes, everyday the FSA is losing its influence because extremists are multiplying. If the West would’ve armed them we wouldn’t be facing the dilemma we are today.

        1. boss i am from India…i am not bothered about Lebanon or Syria or Saudi…but why did they said that they don’t what otherz to invade? pride headed right na? how can they say this…they considered it is strong don’t say helpless…it is brainless Turkey/Qutar/Sauid/Egypt everyone said [including syrian oppostion] they don’t want foreign invation…but look at libya nwo they are cool…the people who said Turkey/Egypt/Quatar never gave support..only Saudi is bold…i consider FSA as a Foolish Syrian Army

          1. The real lebanese Avatar
            The real lebanese

            Yes, but also look at Iraq. It is still torn apart.

          2. reason…don’t look over failed state brother…if you want to grow you need to look over the success…if you look at failure of others your improvement will stop..look how libya is growing…i can that there is still fighting in Libya…but it has reduced…In Iraq there is not power sharing between Shiites and Sunni…if this is done..sure it can be transformed

  5. Reasonableman Avatar
    Reasonableman

    This is a political move yet for some reason politicians find a reason to blame religion for there own short comings.
    Create divisions and hate between the biggest religions and spread the agenda.
    The killing machine keeps on turning, while the underdog is sleeping.

    1. SaifAddawla Avatar
      SaifAddawla

      i wonder if no ANUSra mercenaries fight for assad after the beheading of one of their supporters; what about allah! which side is he on?

      1. The real lebanese Avatar
        The real lebanese

        He’s just watching them kill each other from afar…

        1. SaifAddawla Avatar
          SaifAddawla

          i always admired intelligence; even of my enemies

  6. Reasonableman Avatar
    Reasonableman

    This is a political move yet for some reason politicians find a reason to blame religion for there own short comings.
    Create divisions and hate between the biggest religions and spread the agenda.
    The killing machine keeps on turning, while the underdog is sleeping.

    1. SaifAddawla Avatar
      SaifAddawla

      i wonder if no ANUSra mercenaries fight for assad after the neheading of one of their supporters; what about allah! which side is he on?

      1. The real lebanese Avatar
        The real lebanese

        He’s just watching them kill each other from afar…

        1. SaifAddawla Avatar
          SaifAddawla

          i always admired intelligence; even of my enemies

  7. Bible never lies – “Pride headed will be crushed”
    1] FSA when said that NATO will help they said that none should attack Syria except them – Pride headed
    2] Sunni nations[Turkey, Saudi, Egypt] all said the above words that none should attack Syria and they would solve themselves – Pride headed

    my question:
    1] Since otherz helped the opposition the Libyans won against the govt…right?
    Now if you have brain think my below points
    Will the govt in a country know each and every corner of the country or the opposition?
    Will the govt in a country will have more weapons or the opposition?
    Will the govt in a country will have advanced techniques or the opposition?
    Now tell me when NATO were about to help you *** Syrians Opposition felt they are strong enough to throw Assad…Now you are asking for NATO help after the people are entirely tired of your revolt..Saudi paper now says Assad is gaining control helped by Hizbullah and Russian mercenaries…everyone knew IRAN is already over there
    Point to be know: Opportunity strikes you should use it & not always Opportunity waits for you

    2] Egypt soldiers killed the civilians during the rule of Mubarak..back came back to sense and stopped…right?
    But Syrian soldiers enjoyed free hand…crushed the revolt
    Point to be know: Syrians basically doesn’t have brain

    I am not from muslim country nor in Israel to say bad about Syria/Sunni people
    This is what i analyzed Sunni’s are loosing ground in Syria
    Below points i tracked

    1] Hizbullah kidnapped Turkey pilots to get back their shite kidnapers
    2] Hizbullah became a hero than Turkey/Saudi – Turkey has no other choice that it has to move towards IRAN
    3] Saudi now seems to be barking dog
    4] IRAN got the victory
    5] Syrians became dead Egyptian mummy…Kurds self rule+Revolution lost+Alawites survived for 3yrs which says 70% of Syrian sunnies

  8. Bible never lies – “Pride headed will be crushed”
    1] FSA when said that NATO will help they said that none should attack Syria except them – Pride headed
    2] Sunni nations[Turkey, Saudi, Egypt] all said the above words that none should attack Syria and they would solve themselves – Pride headed

    my question:
    1] Since otherz helped the opposition the Libyans won against the govt…right?
    Now if you have brain think my below points
    Will the govt in a country know each and every corner of the country or the opposition?
    Will the govt in a country will have more weapons or the opposition?
    Will the govt in a country will have advanced techniques or the opposition?
    Now tell me when NATO were about to help you *** Syrians Opposition felt they are strong enough to throw Assad…Now you are asking for NATO help after the people are entirely tired of your revolt..Saudi paper now says Assad is gaining control helped by Hizbullah and Russian mercenaries…everyone knew IRAN is already over there
    Point to be know: Opportunity strikes you should use it & not always Opportunity waits for you

    2] Egypt soldiers killed the civilians during the rule of Mubarak..back came back to sense and stopped…right?
    But Syrian soldiers enjoyed free hand…crushed the revolt
    Point to be know: Syrians basically doesn’t have brain

    I am not from muslim country nor in Israel to say bad about Syria/Sunni people
    This is what i analyzed Sunni’s are loosing ground in Syria
    Below points i tracked

    1] Hizbullah kidnapped Turkey pilots to get back their shite kidnapers
    2] Hizbullah became a hero than Turkey/Saudi – Turkey has no other choice that it has to move towards IRAN
    3] Saudi now seems to be barking dog
    4] IRAN got the victory
    5] Syrians became dead Egyptian mummy…Kurds self rule+Revolution lost+Alawites survived for 3yrs which says 70% of Syrian sunnies are brainless

  9. Sign of a collapsing regime?

    1. SaifAddawla Avatar
      SaifAddawla

      this blog reminds me of a song i like: dream dream dream…

  10. Heraclitus Avatar

    Sign of a collapsing regime?

    1. SaifAddawla Avatar
      SaifAddawla

      this blog reminds me of a song i like: dream dream dream…

  11. Sometimes the bottoms of the Crosses found on Russian churches will be adorned with a crescent. In 1486, Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible) conquered the city of Kazan which had been under the rule of Moslem Tatars, and in remembrance of this, he decreed that from henceforth the Islamic crescent be placed at the bottom of the Crosses to signify the victory of the Cross (Christianity) over the Crescent (Islam).

  12. Sometimes the bottoms of the Crosses found on Russian churches will be adorned with a crescent. In 1486, Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible) conquered the city of Kazan which had been under the rule of Moslem Tatars, and in remembrance of this, he decreed that from henceforth the Islamic crescent be placed at the bottom of the Crosses to signify the victory of the Cross (Christianity) over the Crescent (Islam).

  13. Al-Nusra terrorist r fighting 4 satanic state of Israel they will lose sooner or later.

  14. Al-Nusra terrorist r fighting 4 satanic state of Israel they will lose sooner or later.

  15. finaly syrians themselves will decide who rule over Syria. But certainly syrians doNOT want a zionist-ruling bands such as saudis.

  16. finaly syrians themselves will decide who rule over Syria. But certainly syrians doNOT want a zionist-ruling bands such as saudis.

  17. As many papers around the world r reporting, Kurdish groups r mobilising their forces for the coming big war against Al-Nusra donkeys.

  18. As many papers around the world r reporting, Kurdish groups r mobilising their forces for the coming big war against Al-Nusra donkeys.

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