Interview with Denis Sokolov about the Siberian Battalion
Until now, many people wonder whether there is an armed Russian opposition that positions itself specifically as Russian and has political goals in this country, but is currently fighting against Vladimir Putin's regime on the side of Ukraine. Some believed that such people did not exist at all and that all these units were a figment of either the Ukrainian media, Ilya Ponomarev, or someone else. Our goal in this piece is to understand whether such organizations actually exist and, if so, to learn the details. We managed to contact Denis Sokolov — the coordinator of the Civic Council, which recruits people for the Siberian Battalion — and ask him questions. Abel Rodionov will ask the questions.
A.R. Hello! First of all, thank you for agreeing to tell us a little about the Russian “military opposition”. It is no secret that in Russia information about it spreads bit by bit, a huge number of people doubt its existence. Before the raids of the RDC and the LSR, in fact, there was no evidence that could be presented to such people. But even after them, many Russians continue to invent something in the spirit of “well, maybe this is all still a staging, set up by clever reptilians, or maybe by Putin himself to throw sand in our eyes”… You know yourself, in our society people are ready to find a conspiracy in any pothole on the road. Tell us — do you exist? Are you personally, for example, real?
D.S. Hello. Speaking personally about me, my “digital footprint” is easily googled; before the war, for more than 10 years I studied rural societies of the North Caucasus and their migration networks, I have publications in English-language and Russian-language academic literature, expert projects, and publicism1.
Regarding current activities, my interviews and comments can be found, for example, in articles by Reuters2 and El País3. These publications pay close attention to verifying their speakers. In the RF we are an undesirable organization (I mean the Civic Council)4, and I am also a foreign agent. I don’t know how much these serve as proof of life.
You can also watch an interview on Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty with Sergey Medvedev or videos on our YouTube channel with Alexey Makarov, Ildar Dadin, Vlad Ammosov5.
My colleagues — Anastasia Sergeeva, Tatyana Kosinova, Ibragim Yaganov, Nikita Simonsen — are quite living people with biographies. Actually, we organized the Civic Council in October 2022 as a political platform for Russians supporting armed resistance to the Putin regime. A few more people, members of the Civic Council, still remain anonymous for security reasons.
Tatyana Kosinova’s son is fighting in the RDC, a former pacifist, now a mortar operator, a volunteer from our first group Vikentiy Kosinow. He and his brothers-in-arms went to Ukraine after a short course of medical and military training on January 15, 2023. In order for our volunteers to be confident that we are who we say we are, Tatyana Kosinova and I conduct video interviews with each of them.
A.R. And what top-3 arguments could you single out that you state in favor of the fact that the Siberian Battalion, the RDC, and the LSR exist? Just so anyone could be presented with such arguments and no questions would remain.
D.S. If top-3, then, firstly, there is a sufficient number of reports by authoritative publications that communicated with unit fighters at proving grounds, in hospitals, at locations. There are signed contracts, purchased tickets, sizes for uniforms and footwear. A unit is — among other things — an economic machine that leaves traces.
Secondly, we have dead and wounded. This is sad, but the most weighty evidence of the existence of a combat unit. Two of them, from among the “open”, non-anonymized for various reasons volunteers, are Daniil Yugoslavsky, who is undergoing rehabilitation and assembling drones, and Alexey Makarov, who returned to duty after being wounded near Avdiivka.
And thirdly, our volunteers who raise money for equipment and technical means can be present at online briefings and classes on military medicine with recruits awaiting transit to Ukraine. We try to make the fighters feel public support, and the volunteers have an idea of whom they are helping. There are Ukrainian military who encountered Russian volunteers near Avdiivka, in Zaporizhzhia, in the Belgorod region.
A.R. And what, actually, is the Siberian Battalion? Are there people only from Siberia? How did it arise in general?
D.S. The Siberian Battalion is a regular unit of the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It arose on the initiative of the Civic Council and its member, Vlad Ammosov, a native Siberian from the Sakha Republic, but was created by the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Back then, at the beginning of 2023, only the RDC existed as a unit, and somewhere “non-Russian” Russians, Asians, for example, and ethnic Russians who do not share the rather radical views of the leaders of the Russian Volunteer Corps, for example, left-wing anarchists, had to serve. So we decided — let’s try to create a Siberian Battalion, and then we’ll see. The command went to meet us, and by the end of the summer of 2023 the International Legion created the Sibbat as a regular military unit. At that time near Kyiv, starting from the beginning of summer, the first group of our volunteers was already training, joined by Vlad Ammosov. By then he managed to fight in Zaporizhzhia and in the Belgorod region.
It turned out that by the end of August we recruited many different people, predominantly Russian by nationality, not only from Siberia. The unifying idea of the unit and the Civic Council is the decentralization of the Russian Federation, the right of nations to self-determination, and of society to self-government, compliance with the rights and freedoms of every citizen: we separately discuss with our volunteers their knowledge of the European Convention on Human Rights and readiness to follow its principles.
But the battalion is a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, not a political interest club. The main thing is military work and military discipline. Currently, we have recruited, vetted, brought to Ukraine, and provided equipment for (through the efforts of our volunteers) several groups of volunteers. Recruiting continues, welcome aboard everyone.
A.R. Here, by the way, is an interesting question. In our country people like to say: well, all these Legions and Battalions are a project of Ukraine! Are you an SBU project? I reached you through the contacts of an organization called the Civic Council. Could you briefly tell us what kind of organization this is. Are the LSR, the Siberian Battalion, and the RDC part of the Civic Council? Are there any other structures?
D.S. We, the Civic Council, spent about a year trying to achieve the opportunity for Russians to enter Ukraine as volunteers, and another six months for the transit to become regular. The Civic Council is a military-political public organization of Russians, we have our own political program, a network of supporters and resistance activists inside the Russian Federation, a support network among our fellow citizens in the EU, Canada, the USA, Turkey, Kazakhstan. Actually, donations from Russians living abroad are our main financial source. For example, one platoon of the Siberian Battalion was dressed and shod by guys from Freedom Birds for Ukraine, based in the States (you can make a donation on their website), and La Asociación de Rusos Libres from Spain, another was equipped with money raised and donated by the Free Russia Forum at a special auction, in which Anastasia Sergeeva, Vlad Ammosov, and Zarlen Hochberg-Shydlovsky participated on our behalf. Another platoon is fully equipped thanks to a donation from the Lviv Defense Cluster, a major Ukrainian manufacturer. The training of our first group, whose volunteers joined the RDC, was paid for by a cryptocurrency broker from Saint Petersburg, the equipment of the first groups and transit expenses for most of the volunteers were paid for by an entrepreneur from Siberia. For the latest, current transit, volunteers from Freedom Birds for Ukraine have just raised funds.
There are donors, Russians, who finance our activities throughout the year, including operational ones, on the territory of the RF. With their help, we gather information about defense facilities, ammunition depots, evacuate our fighters when they are in danger.
We communicate with European, American, and Canadian experts and journalists, trying to explain that Russians have the right to fight against Putin, that the volunteers of this Resistance are the future political class that gives us a chance for significant changes in the country. Many volunteers share our values and political beliefs, and for them the Civic Council is political representation.
But the units of Russian volunteers themselves, in particular the Siberian Battalion, are units of the International Legion of the AFU, they are subject to the regulations and orders of the military command, all fighters are checked by special services within the framework of fighting espionage. In this sense, the battalions are projects of the AFU. Despite the fact that this is our initiative as Russians by origin. In war and in the army it cannot be otherwise. But this is on the territory of Ukraine and as part of the Ukrainian army. On the territory of Russia, we turn into an armed resistance. Yes, the Defense Forces of Ukraine are our allies, our soldiers and saboteurs are not mercenaries, not terrorists, but military personnel of the country that Putin’s regime attacked, which is defending itself.
A.R. Our magazine is social democratic. Many are frightened by the fact that there are many radical nationalists in the RDC, and not of the national democratic kind. In the LSR there seemed to be such people as well. As a result, many say that these are, so to speak, untouchable nationalists. What is the overall ideological composition of the “military opposition”?
D.S. The ideological composition of the military opposition is very diverse. But in war, in the trenches, “at zero” or “in the negative”, ideology recedes into the background. It is important that your comrade is reliable, did not coward out, did not abandon the wounded, knew how to provide first aid, killed in time the enemy who intended to kill you. Political disputes should be conducted elsewhere, not on the front line. Everyone who went to fight is united by one thing — they are ready to risk their lives for their beliefs and each other.
The post-war world, of which Europe and the US are deservedly proud, was built by veterans of World War II. They measured the price of peace and civil rights in their own skin, on the fronts and in camps. And our country will be built anew by those who return from the war, who earn with blood and sweat the right to be heard in their parliament, those who fought for their homeland. Therefore, if you want your political beliefs to mean something — go and fight for them, anywhere and by any means.
A.R. So, if people with democratic views, even left-wing or liberal, want to join combat units, they won’t be told something like “you are not one of us” there?
D.S. I believe that in the Siberian Battalion, the values of democracy and human rights are the main values. There are even disputes and conflicts around this. Because democracy, respect for rights and freedoms, respect for the right of nations to self-determination, and of society to self-government is a difficult process, even those who consider themselves democrats need to learn this. But no one will ever tell a fighter, a brother-in-arms, “you are not one of us”. He who took up arms against Putin is our brother.
A.R. How safe is it to join the Siberian Battalion? Rumors circulated that, allegedly, some people in Russia were detained after applying to join the LSR. Are the KGB guys indulging in disinformation?
D.S. We, the Civic Council, have not had any detentions yet. We try to strictly follow the security protocol.
A.R. What is the safest way to join? First go abroad, and only from there submit an application?
D.S. We have the following protocol working. The primary request is filling out a Google form, in which the candidate indicates their call sign, country of residence, a brief comment on which unit (or armed underground group) they want to get into, and, most importantly — a proton email address. We do not communicate through other channels.
We send verification and primary screening questions to the email from our single address intended for this purpose: Mobilization_Center@proton.me. The procedure takes 24 hours and depends more on the speed of the recruit’s response.
The next stage is leaving the country or establishing secure communication if the recruit wants to remain in Russia or cannot leave for some bureaucratic or personal reasons. Their path is the armed underground or support network.
Everyone who joins the Siberian Battalion or goes to the special training program for further communication with the Civic Council must leave the territory of Russia and contact us from another country using the same email address. Before departure, we give detailed instructions on what you need to have with you, what to prepare for. After contacting us from outside of Russia, we send a set of questionnaires for an International Legion volunteer to their email, and after they are filled out, we enroll the applicant in the next transit group.
Waiting for transit usually takes from two weeks to a month. During this time, the Civic Council organizes group (but anonymous) online classes in military medicine, Ukrainian language, offers to improve physical fitness. At the same time, we conduct an online video interview with each volunteer to clarify motivation. The volunteer signs an agreement and an undertaking that they do not cooperate and have not cooperated with the Russian special services.
7-10 days before transit, we announce a time window for arrival in the transit country, buy tickets for those who cannot do it themselves, and conduct a Zoom briefing. Further everything goes according to instructions.
A.R. Is there any monetary allowance for members of the “military opposition”? Suppose a person wants to join you, but is afraid that while they are fighting, they will run out of money and have nothing to eat. What can be said to them in this case?
D.S. After screening and a course of military training, the volunteer signs a contract with the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The contract provides for material and monetary allowance — the same as all Ukrainian contract soldiers receive. This is approximately $800 base salary with significant extra payments for days spent on the front line. Prior to signing the contract, the volunteer receives material support from volunteers of the Civic Council, necessary allowance from the AFU and volunteers working in Ukraine. No one starves.
A.R. As I understand, anyone who joins the Siberian Battalion must first undergo military training with you. Before completing training, they do not enter battle. Is that so?
D.S. Military training is mandatory, it takes place on the territory of Ukraine, at special proving grounds with experienced instructors for about 2 months. The Civic Council participates in organizing training only for special groups. But this is discussed separately.
A.R. Suppose the war ended. What should members of the “military opposition” do next? Another fear of Russians considering the possibility of joining is that after the end of the war they might be deported to Russia, or not given the opportunity to stay and work in Ukraine. Tell us, are there any agreements on this topic? Is there, for example, an agreement with Ukraine on granting asylum to members of the Siberian Battalion or other organizations after the war?
D.S. I can speak only for the Siberian Battalion. Firstly, volunteers receive a military ID, which plays the role of a residence permit during the war. Secondly, it is possible to issue Ukrainian citizenship upon renouncing Russian citizenship. This is currently done on an individual basis, but a special law is being prepared. For volunteers who are citizens of other countries, dual citizenship is possible, and the relevant law has already been published. For citizens of the RF, the procedure is different, dual citizenship is not allowed, a declarative renunciation of the Russian passport is required: declarative because officially under Russian law it is practically impossible to renounce RF citizenship. Therefore, Ukraine meets them halfway — a statement is sufficient.
A.R. Is the Siberian Battalion considering the goal of establishing control over any region of Russia in order to create a Russian Republic? For example, the Kaliningrad region or those bordering Ukraine?
D.S. The Siberian Battalion is a unit of the AFU, it does not consider anything, it executes orders of the command. It is another matter what plans the armed resistance coordinated by the Civic Council has, and which fighters of the Siberian Battalion and other units can join after the end of their contract. Of course, we have a military plan, we have an assessment of necessary resources. Not only fighters of the battalions participate in this plan, but also members of the armed underground and support network. We plan a change of the ruling class, a tribunal for war crimes, removal of security forces and Moscow bureaucracy from power, transfer of main political and economic governance functions to regions and republics. In more detail, I’m afraid, is not worth it.
A.R. Do you have plans to create instructional manuals for underground groups in Russia? About how to arm oneself, how to seize buildings, and so on. There are many “recipes” for making incendiary mixtures and explosives online, but it is not a fact that they work. Many would like to hear working recipes from authoritative sources. Of course, we will not publish them in our magazine — our magazine does not call for anything at all. And we do not call to join the Siberian Battalion, we simply cover rare information. But, who knows, maybe you can tell interested people so they don’t bother us with questions?
D.S. We are ready to discuss recruitment into the armed underground only via secure communication, please — submit applications in the Google form, and we will organize communication. Regarding the second question, the “recipe” is still the same — submit an application. Publishing in a magazine, of course, is not necessary. We are generally categorical opponents of amateur activity in such matters. A professional underground is not only more effective, but also should not end with accusations of terrorism against its participants.
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