Russian defectors serving in Ukraine planning ‘surprise’ operation for Putin

October 13, 2023

Russian fighters who defected to Ukraine and have been serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces are planning to ambush Moscow.

The Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and the Freedom of Russia Legion are allegedly "preparing for extensive operations” to strike Russia. It comes after Russia’s Belgorod region sized a village, according to a Ukrainian intelligence official.

Vadym Skibitsky, the deputy head of Ukraine 's Defence Intelligence agency (GUR), told Ukrainian publication Ukrainska Pravda in an interview published Wednesday. The Russian soldiers fighting for Ukraine crossed the border in late May according to reports.

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According to reports by Newsweek, in June Russian soldiers fighting the anti-Moscow militia complained that "entire regiments" were being wiped out.

The Freedom of Russia Legion was founded in the weeks following the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and is made up of volunteers from Russia and Belarus as well as former members of the Russian armed services. According to the RVC, among its members are Russians who are fighting for Ukraine and against the Kremlin dictatorship.

Exiled Russian politician Ilya Ponomarev claimed he is the political representative for the Freedom of Russia Legion. He told the publication that they and RVC crossed into Belgorod in June.

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He added the group aims "to liberate Russia from Putinism". Claiming to have already "liberated" the villages of Kozinka and Graivoron – Kozinka lies directly along the Ukraine-Russia border, with Graivoron just a mile further into Moscow's territory.

Earlier this week (October 12) Ponomarev stated that RVC and the legion are not planning a joint operation.

Skibitskyi said: “When they entered [Belgorod in May and June], Russia was not ready and did not realize what was happening at the time. But since then, Russia has significantly increased its presence in the border area near us.”

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