Russian Volunteers Join Ukrainian Ranks to Oppose Putin’s Troops

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In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a disheartened Russian citizen, now known as Karabas, made a life-altering decision to confront the situation. Shocked by the distressing images emerging from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, Karabas resolved to take action against his own country, even if it meant leaving his homeland behind.

Recognizing the gravity of his decision, he packed his belongings and embarked on a year-long journey to reach Ukraine. Today, he proudly serves as a member of the Siberian Battalion, a military unit comprised of Russians who have enlisted in the Ukrainian armed forces to combat the Russian invaders. Their ultimate goal: to aid in the removal of Russian President Vladimir Putin from power. Interestingly, most of the battalion’s members originate from ethnic minorities residing in Russia’s far eastern regions.

“I was disillusioned with my own people,” Karabas revealed, echoing the sentiments of his fellow battalion fighters. However, he emphasized that his motivation to join the cause was rooted in the desire to fight for a free Ukraine.

When Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Karabas was disheartened by the prevailing sentiments among the Russians he knew. Many either staunchly supported Putin’s actions or remained apathetic to the unfolding war. At times, his grief became overwhelming, leading him to tears.

Distinct from other volunteer units in Ukraine that also include Russian nationals, such as the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, the Siberian Battalion holds official status within the regular Ukrainian army. Its members undergo extensive security assessments, which can span up to a year, before they receive training and deployment to the front lines in eastern Ukraine, where some of the fiercest fighting has occurred.

Karabas embarked on his journey by traveling to Armenia, where he sought out Ukrainian acquaintances and mastered the Ukrainian language, which he now speaks fluently, steadfastly avoiding the use of his native Russian.

At a recent training exercise near Kyiv, members of the Siberian Battalion practiced their marksmanship skills, firing machine guns amidst the snowy landscape. Fighters from eastern Siberia see a Ukrainian victory as a potential step toward dismantling Moscow’s political control over their impoverished region. Some members of ethnic communities in the area, such as Yakuts and Buryats, cite experiences of racism and oppression in Russia, fueling calls for independence.

One of the battalion’s fighters, known by the call sign Holod, openly expresses his desire for the removal of Putin’s administration, asserting that such a development would mark a true victory. He envisions a Russia that ceases to be a source of sudden aggression.

For Russians like Karabas, the decision to leave behind their entire lives, including family and friends, was born out of necessity. They had to flee to a third country before making their way to Ukraine, as they saw no other option.

Integration into the Ukrainian armed forces proved to be a protracted process. Their documents underwent rigorous scrutiny, and upon arrival in Ukraine, they faced extensive questioning. The Siberian Battalion, which currently numbers only a few dozen, was established six months ago. Ukrainian military leaders anticipate further enlistments, with the aim of expanding the battalion to a 300-member strong unit of Russian fighters.

Some members of the battalion have already been deployed near Avdiivka, a city in the Donetsk region under Ukrainian control, which has been a focal point of Putin’s forces’ efforts to overrun.

Karabas believes that there are potentially tens or even hundreds of thousands of Russians like him, willing to stand alongside Ukraine in its struggle. He envisions a more substantial presence of Russian fighters in the ranks, emphasizing the importance of their contribution to the cause.

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More about Volunteers

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine
• Vladimir Putin
• Ukrainian Armed Forces
• Siberian Battalion
• Conflict in Eastern Ukraine
• Ethnic Minorities in Russia
• Ukraine-Russia Relations