According to the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Russia has opened 14 centres for recruiting mercenaries in Syria on territories controlled by the regime of Bashar al-Assad. After a short training, the mercenaries will arrive at Chkalovsky airbase in the Moscow region via the Khmeimim airbase using two Tu-134 aircraft (up to 80 passengers) and a Tu-154 (up to 180 passengers).
According to the CDI, Russia has recently recruited thousands of Syrian mercenaries among members of the so-called "National Defense Militia" and units of the 5th Corps of the Syrian Armed Forces.
"It is assumed that the Syrians will use heavy artillery and sniper weapons against the Ukrainians," the military intelligence said. "Information about Russia's training of mercenaries from Libya to engage in hostilities in Ukraine has also been confirmed."
The monthly salary for foreign mercenaries who will fight in the Russian army will range from 300 to 600 US dollars.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia is recruiting mercenaries from Armenia, Syria, and Serbia to be transferred to Ukraine.
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia is recruiting fighters in Syria, hoping that their experience of fighting in urban areas will help take Kyiv.