Russian President Vladimir Putin has given green light to the recruitment of up to 16,000 mercenaries from the Middle East into the Russian army.

In a desperate bid to overcome the Ukrainian resistance and bring the country’s government to its knees, Putin has now allowed thousands of so-called “volunteers” from the Middle East to join his army and fight alongside his soldiers in Ukraine.

The move allows Russia’s armed forces to expand its cannon fodder by deploying mercenaries from war-torn nations such as Syria to the frontlines and avoid suffering substantial losses in the Russian military.

The despicable decision, which was announced during Russia’s Security Council, was applauded by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu who insisted that some 16,000 fighters from the Middle East are ready to storm Ukraine as we speak.

Meanwhile, the TV channel of Russia’s Defense Ministry shared footage showing alleged Syrian fighters rallying in support of Russia.

“If you see that there are these people who want of their own accord, not for money, to come to help the people living in Donbass, then we need to give them what they want and help them get to the conflict zone,” Putin said as he insisted the foreign forces want to fight for Russia for free.

Taking a jab at NATO and the West, the Russian president went on to ask his defense minister to draw up plans for the fortification of the country’s western border.

“The general staff is working on, and has almost finished, a plan to strengthen our Western borders, including, naturally, with new modern complexes,” Shoigu confirmed.

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