In a conversation with journalists after the “Direct Line” conference with Russian citizens, President Vladimir Putin answered the question about Russian mercenaries fighting in Syria - why they are not given the status of participants in hostilities.
“As for private companies, including private security companies, under the auspices of which there are people you mentioned, and they really are present there, it’s not the Russian state. Therefore they are not participants in the hostilities”, - Russian President noted.
“Of course, we recognize that even solving these national economic problems, these people risk their lives. And in general this is also a contribution to the fight against terrorism, because they beat off these deposits from ISIS terrorists” (ISIS terrorist organisations is prohibited in the Russian Federation). But this is not a Russian state or a Russian army, so we do not comment on anything here”, - Vladimir Putin stressed.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo by Михаил Метцель/ТАСС