Russian mercenaries leave Burkina Faso to fight against Ukraine in Kursk
Viktor Yermolaev, head of paramilitary unit Bear Brigade, said many fighters had left the West African country to defend the Russian territory
Viktor Yermolaev, head of a paramilitary unit known as Medvedi (Bears) in Russia and the Bear Brigade in the West, said many of his fighters had left the West African country, while some stayed behind.
Ukraine earlier this month launched the unprecedented incursion into Russia’s western Kursk region, adding a new factor in the over two year war that began in February 2022 with Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour.
“We thought Ukrainians wanted to end this war and sit down at the negotiating table, but after their entry into the Kursk region we see that they chose the path of war, and war is our job,” said Yermolaev, who is also known by his call sign Jedi.
“There is no higher honour for a Russian warrior than to defend his homeland. This is the way,” added Yermolaev, who said he had served in Russia’s airborne troops for 15 years.