Ukraine war draws in fighters from post-Soviet states

Significance

Captured Westerners have seized media attention, but in number and military significance they are eclipsed by volunteers from Belarus, Georgia, the Russian North Caucasus and other post-Soviet regions. Smaller numbers have volunteered for the Russian side.

Impacts

• The Russian government is torn between the military need for mass mobilisation and the negative political optics.
• Death sentences for Western combatants by Russian proxies give Moscow political leverage.
• The Belarusian authorities will be particularly concerned about the post-war intentions of their nationals now in Ukraine.