[Global Issue+] 'Anti-Putin Forces' Sparking Civil War in Russian Mainland... Controversy Over Whether They Are Voluntary Militias

Reul "Ukeura Baehu Gongjak"... Threatens Retaliation
Anti-Putin Militias Emphasize 'Voluntariness'

Recently, news has emerged that the Russian volunteer militias 'Free Russian Legion (FRL)' and 'Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC)' attacked the Belgorod area, a border region between Russia and Ukraine, drawing international attention. There has been growing controversy over whether this is a civil war or a surprise attack backed by Ukraine.

In Russia, it is claimed that some of these forces were armed with U.S. military weapons, asserting that Ukraine is behind the operation. Conversely, the Ukrainian military defines them as an internally generated anti-Putin faction within Russia, unrelated to Ukraine. So, what kind of organizations are these, and what is their purpose in attacking the Russian border areas?

Pro-Ukraine Militia Unrest Continues... Occupying Small Villages

On the 24th (local time), members of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), an anti-Putin pro-Ukraine militia composed of Russians, were seen. The RVC and the Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL) attacked Belgorod in mainland Russia on the 22nd. [Image source=Reuters·Yonhap News]

According to the British Guardian on the 28th (local time), the FRL and RVC, which attacked Belgorod on the 22nd, have been moving along the border region, continuing guerrilla warfare. During this process, they announced that they had occupied a small settlement called Kozinka. It is known that they crossed into Ukraine to evade Russian military pursuit and then re-entered Russian territory, looting small villages.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Belgorod Oblast, stated, "Russia is fighting saboteurs who have infiltrated its territory from Ukraine," emphasizing, "The Russian military, along with border guards, the Federal Defense Forces, and the Federal Security Service (FSB), is taking measures to eliminate the enemy." However, residents of Belgorod are greatly unsettled.

The Russian government strongly protests, claiming Ukraine is behind these militia actions. The Kremlin reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the border incursion and stated, "Russia believes this attack was planned to divert attention from Bakhmut in Ukraine, where Russia is strengthening control," asserting Ukraine's involvement. They also warned of corresponding retaliation.

Anti-Putin Militias Emphasize Voluntarism... "We Will Fight Against Putin's Armed Gangs"

[Image source=TASS Yonhap News]

Contrary to Russia's claims, these militias emphasize that they are voluntarily formed anti-Putin forces. According to The New York Times (NYT), FRL and RVC members held guerrilla-style press conferences in frontline areas. A commander who introduced himself as 'White Rex' (alias) said, "We attacked Belgorod to help Ukraine win the war," stressing, "We are not fascists (far-right extremists) as Russian media portray us."

They are mostly composed of Russians, some of whom are former Russian soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces during the war and later released. They argue that Ukraine, not Russia, should win this war and that President Putin's long-term dictatorship must end.

According to the British BBC, they began active operations in opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine since August last year. The organization is known to have been formed by uniting some anti-Putin right-wing factions within Russia that have been active since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. They state they will "fight against Putin's armed gangs" and are fighting against Russian forces in this Ukraine war as well.

Although Ukrainian authorities deny it, the militias claim to receive personnel and supplies from the Ukrainian military. It is reported that they have received some U.S. military weapons from Ukraine.

The U.S. authorities are unsettled by this news. On the 25th, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley said, "It is not yet clear who attacked Belgorod, why, or whether U.S. equipment was used," but also stated, "We have asked Ukraine not to use U.S. equipment to directly attack Russian territory." The U.S. government appears concerned that the very existence of these forces could be perceived as a direct confrontation between Russia and the West. With Ukraine's counteroffensive operation expected to begin, attention is focused on what variable these militias' movements might become in the future.