Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) special forces conducted an operation against a Russian military base in Syria on Sunday according to a source in Ukrainian military intelligence who spoke to the Kyiv Post. The attack targeted a facility on the southeastern outskirts of Aleppo, where Russian forces were reportedly manufacturing and testing strike UAVs.
The Kyiv Post obtained exclusive footage of the operation, which shows a HUR flag visible behind a berm near a garage used as a Russian base. The video, filmed by an intelligence officer, captures an explosion at the Russian facility followed by the detonation of ammunition.
Military and explosive experts who examined the footage for the Kyiv Post suggested that the explosion was likely triggered by a rifle shot rather than an RPG, possibly striking pre-planted explosives inside the facility.
The targeted base was allegedly used by Russian forces to produce "camouflaged improvised explosive devices" and store their warheads, according to HUR. This operation is part of a series of strikes carried out by Ukrainian special forces against Russian military targets in Syria. In June, the Ukrainian special forces attacked enemy positions in Syria's Golan Heights.
Russia's involvement in Syria dates back to 2015 when it intervened to support President Bashar al-Assad's regime during the civil war. This intervention led to the permanent deployment of thousands of Russian troops in the country. However, in the fall of last year, Moscow reportedly transferred some of these forces to Ukraine, potentially weakening their presence in Syria.
The prolonged Russian presence in Syria has resulted in the establishment of recruitment centers for Syrian mercenaries to fight in Ukraine.
Lt Gen Kyrylo Budanov, chief of HUR, stated in May 2023 that they would "destroy Russian war criminals anywhere in the world they may be." This commitment extends beyond Syria, with Ukrainian HUR special forces reportedly targeting pro-Kremlin Wagner mercenaries in Sudan and other parts of Africa.
