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Exclusive: The top secret world of Russia's mercenaries who fight in Syria

Map showing the location of military camps near the settlement of Molkino in southern Russia. [Reuters]

Behind the perimeter of a defense ministry base in southern Russia stand three barrack buildings where two witnesses say they have seen private fighters being billeted before they are dispatched to fight in Syria for President Bashar al-Assad.

Yet on paper, the barracks have nothing to do with the Russian defense ministry: court documents list them as a children’s vacation camp.

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