The paramilitary Russian volunteer battalion “Legion Freedom of Russia” wants to take up arms again against Vladimir Putin. A spokesman for the group told British Sunday newspaper The Observer that there will be “another surprise” in the coming month.
“This will be our third mission,” said Maximillian Andronnikov, who calls himself Caesar. Then comes a fourth and a fifth. “We have ambitious plans. We want to liberate our entire territory,” the spokesman continued.
The “Legion of Freedom of Russia” consists of Russian nationalists who are currently fighting on the side of Ukraine. According to “Caesar”, the combat battalion depends on the help of the Ukrainian army, but would make independent decisions about operations on Russian territory. The Volunteer Legion would primarily be supplied with confiscated Russian equipment. Ukraine has denied any involvement with the insurgents.
“Caesar”: Russian troops frustrated
In May and June, fighters from the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps wreaked havoc in the Russian border area of Belgorod near Ukraine. Andronnikov sees Russian President Vladimir Putin weakened after the halted uprising of the Wagner group led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in late June.
According to The Observer, he expects Putin’s government to collapse by the end of 2024. The nationalist reports enormous dissatisfaction within the Russian troops because many soldiers do not receive their pay on time: “There is a huge money problem.”
Paramilitaries are said to have far-right connections
Paramilitary units such as the “Legion Freedom of Russia” have been accused of links to far-right organizations. The speaker describes himself as a “constitutional monarchist” who admires Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. In his unit, people of left and right views would fight, as well as disappointed supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Source: Krone
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