INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Updated with Shoigu's 50,000 volunteer fighters figure.More than 20 Russian volunteer detachments fighting alongside regular soldiers in
preferred to term for the invasion of Ukraine.Russian military officials did not disclose the names and locations of the units.Earlier this
month, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered volunteer detachments to sign contracts with the military, arguing that it would improve
combat effectiveness.Shoigu said Thursday that over 50,000 volunteers have signed up alongside 114,000 contract soldiers in Russia's
launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.Putinsigned a law in December recognizing volunteer fighters as war veterans,
thus guaranteeing them generous pensions and numerous other benefits.
