Russians living in Bulgaria sent military equipment from Sofia to the organization "Freedom for Russia" Legion, which is fighting on the side of Ukraine. The cars were provided through donations from Russian citizens and ethnic Russians who live in Bulgaria or fled Russia after the start of the “military operation”. These are equipped off-road vehicles. Legion “Freedom for Russia” is a paramilitary Russian organization that is against the regime of Vladimir Putin and what is happening in Ukraine.
The donation that the legion receives from its like-minded people in Bulgaria consists of cars adapted for the front. This is the third batch going to Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russian volunteers from Bulgaria have sent a total of 30 cars, as well as medical devices and drones, the organizers say.
Before sending the equipment, the volunteers stretched a banner with an appeal: “Russians, make your own contribution to the victory of Ukraine over Putin's criminal regime”.
If we remove the red from the Russian flag… “If you take the flag of Russia, it is the same flag, but without the red, without the blood. This is the reason why we raise a flag in white and blue. A free Russia, free from Putin's regime. What we are observing in Ukraine is not the ideology of Russia, the ideology is completely different, volunteers commented to FAKTI.
The men in the photos are wearing masks, but they are not Ukrainians, they are Russians who fled Vladimir Putin's regime in their homeland. That's why they hide their faces - even though they now live in Bulgaria, they don't want to put themselves and their families who are still in Russia at risk.
The Legion unit “Freedom for Russia” was formed by citizens of Russia, but fought as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
"Freedom for Russia" is one of three units in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) formed by Russian citizens. The other two are the “Siberian Battalion” and “The Russian Volunteer Corps” (RDK). In March, they entered Russia's western borders with weapons and fought "fierce battles" before they retreat. This operation was later described as "reconnaissance with combat".
The typical price of a car - its service, camouflage paint and preparation for the front - is about BGN 17,000 - 20,000, said one of the organizers of the donation campaign.
"Sitting and doing nothing is not an option. If we do nothing, the situation will not get better and people will continue to die. And what happens? Right - we have to fight to stop this", commented the volunteers.
Who are Putin's opponents operating on Russian territory?
"Siberian Battalion", "Russian Volunteer Corps" and Legion "Freedom for Russia" are formations that are "an integral part of the Ukrainian armed forces". This is what military expert Andras Rach explains to ZDF. These are not mercenary groups, freelance fighters or just some marauders. "According to what is known, the units consist of ethnic Russians who are fighting on the Ukrainian side," he added. And according to local officials, far-right nationalists are also fighting for these Russian militias, ZDF also writes.
The publication quotes the spokesman of the Ukrainian military intelligence, Andriy Yusov, according to whom these combat units are composed exclusively of Russian citizens. "On the territory of the Russian Federation, they act absolutely autonomously", he says for "Ukrainska Pravda".
How strong are these armed groups and what can they achieve?
„The Legion "Freedom of Russia" is approximately the size of a battalion, i.e. has several hundred fighters”, Rach explains to ZDF. He believes that the other two formations – “The Russian Volunteer Corps" and the "Siberian Battalion", together have about as many fighters as a weak battalion.
„With such numbers and weapons, they are able to carry out surprise attacks in the Russian border areas and create serious concerns for the Russian border units,", continues Rach.
It is within their power to hold small areas for a short time, adds the military expert and clarifies that the goal is not actually to capture and separate these territories from Russia. Rather, they invade an area, cause damage, make noise and quickly withdraw before the Russians can mobilize more substantial forces against them, ZDF explains.