MOSCOW: Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin caused a stir in Russia on Wednesday by donating a gun to a soldier heading to war in Ukraine, reported German news agency (dpa).
In a video posted on Telegram, Sobyanin is seen handing over the pistol to a man in military attire at a recruiting point in Moscow.
“This is my personal weapon. I have already transferred it to your name. May it bring you success,” said the 65-year-old, who is running for re-election in Europe’s largest city in September.
Russian media raised questions about where Sobyanin obtained the gun, reportedly a MP-443 Grach, also known as a Yarygin pistol. According to the reports, Russian law does not allow the donation of firearms to soldiers for special merits.
Russia has been waging a full-scale war in Ukraine for over 17 months.
Sobyanin also stated that 10,000 Moscow residents have voluntarily committed to fight against the neighbouring country.
A total of 20,000 residents of the Russian capital were drafted following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mobilisation order last autumn. These figures have not been independently verified. – BERNAMA-dpa
