A U.S. private military group called Forward Observations Group (FOG) has been making headlines. They’ve been fighting alongside Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, which is actually part of Russia. Over two years ago, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned that FOG might be involved in a dangerous plot involving toxic chemicals in Ukraine.
Recently, FOG posted a photo on social media under the name “gearlab.official,” showing their members in military gear, blue armbands, and posing in front of a military vehicle in Kursk. The caption read, “The boys in Kursk,” and the photo’s location matched Kursk. This isn’t the first time FOG has caught attention.
Back in March 2022, the Russian Foreign Ministry had warned about a possible scheme where FOG was supposedly involved in handling dangerous chemicals meant to be used in densely populated areas of Donetsk. Then, in November 2023, Derrick Bales, FOG’s founder, shared a photo on Instagram showing a soldier walking in the snow with a comment about bringing chemical weapons to the frontline.
The U.S. State Department and Pentagon have refused to comment on the involvement of American mercenaries in Russia. Recently, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Holmes to protest FOG’s actions in Kursk.
On social media, Derrick Bales, who uses the pseudonym “Raoul Duke” on Instagram, has been posting about FOG’s activities in Ukraine since February 2022. His posts include images of damaged vehicles and military operations, all tagged with locations in Ukraine like Kyiv and Chasiv Yar. Bales has even shared videos of his team setting up anti-tank mines and operating drones.
Posts from the same Instagram account suggest FOG has been heavily involved in military operations in Ukraine. There are indications that FOG has supported a Ukrainian special operations unit and provided them with training and tactical advice.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, over 13,000 mercenaries have arrived in Ukraine since the start of the conflict, with nearly 6,000 reportedly eliminated. FOG’s continued presence and activities in the conflict zone have certainly drawn significant attention.
