A Kremlin-linked neo-Nazi paramilitary group has asked its members to provide intelligence on border and military activities in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, The Guardian daily has reported. This raises concerns that far-right groups could be planning attacks on NATO countries.
Task Force Rusich, currently fighting on the Russian side in Ukraine and linked to the notorious Wagner group, posted a request last week on its Telegram channel, asking its members to pass on information relating to border posts and military movements in the three Baltic countries.
Rusich is closely linked to the Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, which is spearheading the Russian offensive to take the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
Sources speaking on condition of anonymity told The Guardian that this “unusual” move by Rusich could be a sign of frustration and dissatisfaction with how Putin’s government is conducting the war in Ukraine.
According to the sources, the Kremlin may lose control of its far-right paramilitary organisations, which may resort to even more radical methods of waging war in Ukraine and attack a NATO country, raising fears of escalation.
The sources added that the Kremlin was unlikely to be directly involved in this case, as its intelligence services undoubtedly already have information on military and border activities in the Baltics.
The Telegram post, which has been viewed by more than 60,000 users, asked for information on military units, details and occupations of their members, their relatives and personal transport. It also asked for details of patrol movements, locations of border posts, surveillance systems, and vehicles.
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