Russia reportedly recruiting Syrian mercenaries

Russia is recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to fight in Ukraine as Moscow prepares for intense street-to-street fighting in its push to seize major Ukrainian cities, US officials have told the Wall Street Journal. 

Intelligence officials declined to tell the publication how many fighters have agreed to join the war, but said some have already travelled to Russia and are preparing to be deployed into Ukraine.

According to a publication in Deir Ezzor, Syria, Russia has offered volunteers from the country salaries of between $200 and $300 "to go to Ukraine and operate as guards" for six months at a time.

Officials in Moscow are said to believe the deployment of fighters hardened by over a decade of urban warfare in the Syrian Civil War could add muscle to their fight to seize key Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv.

Israeli military veterans have been reportedly showing up to fight for Ukraine.