Russia is trying to recruit Syrians to fight in Ukraine

The Pentagon said Monday it believes that Russia is now trying to recruit Syrian fighters to bolster the Russian war effort in Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the story Sunday, saying Russia is seeking Syrians who have taken part in urban combat and could help Russia take control of cities such as Ukraine’s capital Kyiv.

It’s not clear how long it might take such a group of Syrian fighters to reach Ukraine, how they would integrate with the Russian military, or how effective they might be in a country they are not familiar with.