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Anti-Putin Russian paramilitaries join Ukraine's fight in Kharkiv region

Peeking out from under a hat and with his face covered, the Russian fighting for Kyiv described unrelenting battles in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv where Moscow's forces opened a new front last week.

"The situation is difficult, the intensity is very high, there is fighting almost every ten minutes," said the mortarman, who identified himself only by his callsign, Winnie.

Ukraine Breaking news reporter Max Hunder talked to the soldier who is part of the Freedom of Russia Legion, a group of Russians opposed to President Vladimir Putin who are fighting for Ukraine.

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'Winnie' speaks with Reuters before his return to fight with Russian troops near the border. May 15, 2024. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Behind the news

Hunder told us how he got the story, saying: "We only found out the soldiers from the Freedom of Russia legion were ready to talk to us a couple of hours in advance -- so a rush to the meeting point was followed by an absorbing conversation with their deputy commander.

"It was most curious to meet a Russian nationalist fighting for Ukraine with a rifle in his hands!"

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