Russian champion in duel shooting served as a sniper in Donbas - SBU

Russian champion in duel shooting Alexander Zalichev is involved in terrorist activities in Donbas, Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) spokesperson Olena Hitlianska has reported on Facebook.

"Russia's two-time champion in duel shooting from rifle Alexander Zalichev is involved in terrorist activities in eastern Ukraine and served as a sniper in the Wagner military group in 2014," she wrote.

Ukrinform reported earlier, with reference to the SBU, that the Kremlin uses so-called private military companies, the most famous of which is the Wagner Group, for conducting military operations not only in Ukraine, but also in Syria.

According to SBU Chief Vasyl Hrytsak, this project by Russian special services allows Kremlin politicians to confidently tell the public and the international community that "they are not there" or "we did not send them there."

According to the SBU, more than 5,000 people are members of the Wagner private military company. 

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