Russia’s Primorsky region trains volunteer fighters for the Ukraine War

The Primorsky region in Russia’s Far East trains volunteer fighters for a unit called “The Tiger” expected to be sent to Ukraine for combat, Kommersant reports.

“Several dozens of men have already had their training, around 100 more are expected in the nearest future. Our first unit will be sent to Ukraine in a few days,” the region’s PR department says.

The future combatants are retained near Vladivostok. They are taught to use assault rifles and rocket launchers, fighting within city limits, and providing first aid to the wounded. 

Oleg Kozhemyako, the local governor, says there are a lot of men willing to join. Russia’s Defence Ministry has given the local authorities the green light to set up such units, he says. All men aged between 18 and 60 are welcome, and they are asked to contact the local draft offices should they decide to participate.

“Our volunteer fighters receive a monthly wage of 50,000 rubles [€830] during training. They will receive a one-time payment of 150,000 when sent to the battlezone, and then will have a salary of 200,000 a month.” the advertisement says.

Draft offices in Saint Petersburg are distributing leaflets which list bounties for “destroying enemy’s manpower.” Bounties are set for contracted soldiers and go as high as 300,000 (€5,200) rubles for destroying a plane.