The war for Ukraine spans continents, to Iran and beyond - opinion

• Published date: 11 March 2024
• Author: JUDAH WAXELBAUM
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

After a failed coup attempt by the Wagner company, a private Russian mercenary force, Russia seized control of the forces. Wagner troops have operated on behalf of the Russian government since its inception, but always with a projection of separation until now

Wagner forces operate globally but mainly across Africa, most notably in Libya and Sudan. When Sudan's government faced a wave of rebel attacks last year, Wagner forces were in their wings. Russia operates training and gold mining operations in Sudan, guarded by Wagner. While this is not out of the ordinary for the group, Ukraine's response was.

Ukrainian commandos reportedly came to the assistance of Sudan against Wagner-backed rebels. Sudan sells arms to Ukraine, making its government an ally worth protecting for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine saw the situation in Sudan as not only a method to protect the flow of arms but also potential to disrupt Russia's revenue sources. When we discuss the war in Ukraine, we are not giving enough attention to the fact that Ukrainian and Russian forces are facing off outside of Ukraine.

Russia has also enlisted Cuban and Syrian nationals to fight in Ukraine. This is not a new practice for Russia, which regularly hires forces from the same countries they disrupt. Cuba, a notoriously closed-off nation, has not impeded Russia's efforts to employ Cubans who are willing to die on the other side of the globe. Those who join Russia's invasion are offered slim salaries, but it far exceeds the meager economic opportunities these men have at their disposal. In the case of Syria, Russia has utilized the despair brought on by the Russian-backed Bashar Assad regime for years.

Civilized nations have a responsibility to crack down on Russia's business of chaos. Economic sanctions and multilateral agreements have ultimately failed to constrict Russia's war-waging abilities. Russia is maintaining relationships with despots in North Korea and Iran while expanding its reach internationally.

Russian control impacting Israel

Multiple reports indicate that Russia...