According to the latest knowledge of the services, General Makarewicz, previously removed by Vladimir Putin after defeats on the battlefield in Ukraine, commands the Russian Equator Task Force (ETF) of the Ministry of Defense, which includes over 120 people who train the Venezuelan armed forces in many military fields.
Budanow claims that an elite unit specializing in operating drones recently arrived in Venezuela to train local soldiers in operating unmanned FPV machines, [czyli First Person View; dzięki podglądowi na żywo z kamery zamontowanej na pokładzie pojazdu operator widzi obraz w czasie rzeczywistym w goglach lub na monitorze].
Although officially the Russian mission aims to fight drug trafficking, the presence of the Russian elite in Venezuela at this moment is not accidental. Caracas is Russia's main foothold in Latin America. The United States is preparing to intensify its actions against Venezuela, reports Reuters.
According to Budanov, the ETF mission is of a long-term nature and is not a reaction to the current strengthening of American forces in the Caribbean, where the Trump administration has deployed Task Force Southern Spear. It is an American military and intelligence campaign that uses a fleet of ships equipped with robots and autonomous systems to detect and combat drug trafficking networks in the Western Hemisphere.
Although the mission is officially aimed at combating drug trafficking, the presence of the Russians is part of Washington's pressure campaign on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Budanow suggests that Makarewicz and his staff will remain in the country regardless of US actions.
I think they will work behind the scenes, and officially Russia will try to talk to the US because their units are in Venezuela. It's just a game
– says.
What are the Russians doing in Venezuela?
The head of HUR explains that Russian troops play the role of “military advisors and teachers”, leading training of infantry, unmanned aerial vehicles and special forcesand providing signals intelligence support to the Venezuelan authorities [SIGINT, informacja wywiadowcza pochodząca np. z systemów łączności, radarów i systemów uzbrojenia; celem jest uzyskanie istotnych informacji na temat możliwości, działań i zamiarów wrogów].
Despite the escalation of US actions in the region, HUR did not detect any changes in the number of Russian troops in Venezuela. According to Budanov, General Makarewicz has been in this country since the beginning of the year. However, the period of service was extended beyond the usual six-month period.
The article continues below the video
When asked whether Ukrainian intelligence has its agents in Venezuela, Budanov answers briefly: “We are collecting all information about them.”
The document shared by Budanow lists approximately 90 Russian officers and soldiers stationed in Caracas, and the rest deployed in Maracaibo, La Guaira and the island of Aves.
Russians claim that Venezuela recently received Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E air defense systems. Budanow, however, has doubts. — We see Buk-M2. We don't know anything about Pantsir, he says.
The second document shared by Budanow describes the broader scope of activities the ETF purports to cover training Venezuelan forces in armor, aviation, artillery, drone operation, and even military dog training. Venezuela's efforts to monitor groups of domestic and foreign governments are also supported
62-year-old Makarewicz is a controversial figure. In October 2023, he was dismissed as commander of the Russian Dnipro group of forces after Ukraine's successful counteroffensive in Kherson. Ukrainians also accuse him of ordering the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in June 2023. The attack caused a catastrophic flood and extensive environmental and economic damage. Russia, in turn, blames Ukraine, claiming that Kiev destroyed the dam to disrupt Russian operations.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
