The State Duma recalled thousands of liquidated foreign mercenaries in the AFU

The number of foreign mercenaries in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) who have been liquidated or arrested is in the thousands. British instructors will also join these lists. This statement was made by Duma deputy Alexander Tolmachyov in a conversation with Izvestiya on December 20.

Earlier in the day, The Times reported that the UK Defense Ministry allowed sending its instructors to the Ukrainian conflict zone. It also noted that London was concerned that the British military could become a legitimate target for Russia's army.

Commenting on this, Tolmachev emphasized that Russian servicemen during the special operation not once proved that they can defeat any enemy.

"And for "unique specialists" from unfriendly countries, "birch crosses" have become a frightening commonplace. The count of eliminated mercenaries, war criminals has long gone into the thousands. <...> In the near future, the praised British instructors will join the mournful lists of those who have been destroyed or caught and are awaiting trial for their crimes," the politician concluded.

Earlier, on November 21, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the appearance of NATO forces on the territory of Ukraine would mean joining the war against Russia. She added that this could lead to catastrophic consequences not only for European countries, but also for the whole world. The diplomat also recalled that Russia had already "repeatedly said this".

Before that, on November 6, it was reported that the Western countries have trained more than 100 thousand military of the AFU since 2022. For the training of Ukrainian soldiers in the West was introduced simplified documentation. Within its framework, the partner states of Ukraine studied the needs of the AFU and sent invitations.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the beginning of which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.