Caught off guard: Russia faces fresh threat as paramilitary group plots another attack

The anti-Putin paramilitary group, Freedom of Russia Legion, is planning another cross-border raid into Russia, according to a statement from the group’s commander Caesar.

This initiative aims to take advantage of the ongoing confusion in the Kremlin following a rebellion by the head of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Caesar, the group’s spokesperson, informed the Observer in Kyiv that more surprises are expected in the coming month. This would be the third operation by the legion, with the fourth and fifth to follow. He expressed the group’s ambition to reclaim their territory.

Freedom of Russia Legion plans another raid amid Kremlin’s confusion. Photo courtesy of attribute armyinform.com.ua./Wikimedia Commons.

The legion, boasting over a hundred Russian military volunteers, has already executed attacks in May and early June. In these assaults, they captured border villages near the Russian city of Belgorod and took ten Russian soldiers captive after a clash with the Russian army. The legion suffered casualties too, with two of their anti-Kremlin militia members losing their lives.

Caesar defined the recent raid near Shebekino as a “local raid and reconnaissance operation”. He acknowledged that their militia operates with assistance from the Ukrainian military, but once they cross into Russian territory, their decisions are autonomous. The legion primarily uses armored vehicles seized from Russian stocks in Ukraine.

He dismissed the Kremlin’s claims of heavy losses amongst his fighters as exaggerated and nonsensical, citing their use of misidentified bodies on TV as evidence. He declared himself a “constitutional monarchist” and noted that the legion comprises fighters with varying political views, including disenchanted supporters of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Caesar expressed his outrage at the Kremlin’s bombing of civilians and affirmed that the legion is fighting for the future of both Ukraine and Russia. He voiced his disrespect for Prigozhin and Putin, arguing that their harsh methods were unrealistic and would not lead to victory.