Ukrainian military intelligence took an active part in supporting the rebels in Syria who overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad. David Ignatius writes about this in his article for The Washington Post , citing informed sources.
According to the publication, Ukraine sent about 20 experienced drone operators to Idlib and handed over about 150 FPV drones to the leading rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. These actions were part of Ukraine's broader strategy of striking Russian interests outside the traditional front.
According to Ignatius, Ukrainian aid played a significant, though not decisive, role in Assad's overthrow. However, it became an important element of Kyiv's efforts to weaken the Russian presence in the Middle East, Africa and even within Russia itself.
Ukrainian mass media previously reported that Syrian rebels, with the help of Ukrainian operatives, struck Russian military facilities in the region.
Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of conducting covert operations in Syria. Russia's special representative for Syria Oleksandr Lavrentiev stated that Ukrainian spies are operating on the territory of Idlib.
These statements add to a series of Kremlin complaints about Ukraine's actions in Africa, particularly in Mali, where Ukrainian operatives helped rebels attack Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group.
As noted by The Washington Post , Ukraine's operations abroad are part of an attempt to expand the battlefield by striking the Russians in unexpected places.
"Ukraine demonstrates that it is ready to act where Russia is not waiting. Although aid to the rebels in Syria was not a turning point, it contributed to the downfall of the Kremlin's key ally in the Middle East," Ignatius notes.
