Foreign mercenaries from around the globe have joined in on the side of Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded for global assistance in the wake of the Russian military operation. Now around 450 militants from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) armed group, a re-branded Jabhat al-Nusra (the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda), arrived in Ukraine on to fight against the Russian army. The militants reportedly left Idlib governorate in northern Syria only three days ago, entering Ukraine after passing through Turkey.
The group of new fighters consist of both Arab and foreign nationals, as HTS, ISIS, and other militias in Syria allow foreigners to join their ranks. Reportedly approximately 300 Syrians, with the rest being a mix of Belgian, French, Chechen, Chinese, Tunisian, British, and Moroccan nationals. As for financial compensation, the sources said the fighters that hail from Syria will receive around $1200 - $1500, but had no knowledge what the foreign nationals were going to be paid.
Several sources added that most of these foreign fighters are veterans of the Syrian war, had been causing issues in Idlib, and were given this opportunity to fight against Russia as a compromise by which they would receive a new start and with an acceptable income. ISIS is a rather loosely knit group, as was its predecessor Al-Qaeda. Included in this group are those that fought in the Caucasus and hate Russia. Since the fall of the Caliphate, fighters from Idlib province in Syria have made their way to the Ukraine.
Western press outlets are covering the denouncement of Russia by ISIS in another twist. ISIS have called the war in Ukraine "divine punishment" and views it as "direct bloody war between the Orthodox crusaders". However, the conclusion that ISIS are sitting back and calling a plague on both your houses is incorrect. No, it’s misleading because they have been recruiting.
Sources:
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/450-arab-and-foreign-extremists-from-idlib-arrive-in-ukraine
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10593271/ISIS-praises-Ukraine-war-crusaders-against-crusaders-destroy-enemies-Islam.html
https://thecradle.co/Article/news/7669