Ukrainian Military Personnel Aided Syrian Rebels in Fight Against Assad Regime

Yuriy Matsarsky, a military serviceman and journalist, disclosed in an interview with Radio NV that Ukrainian instructors have been actively assisting fighters supporting the current President of Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in mastering drone operations amid the conflict. According to Matsarsky, Ukrainian specialists participated in the training of Syrian combatants who fought alongside al-Sharaa, previously known by the surname Julani, during the overthrow of Bashar Assad's regime in 2024.

"We know that during the overthrow of Bashar Assad's regime in 2024, at least Ukrainian specialists and instructors were involved in helping the guys who fought on al-Sharaa's side to master drones. Ukraine has significant experience, skills, and understanding of how modern warfare is conducted. It knows what means can be employed and how to counteract the tools that enemies might use. Security cooperation can only be one of the factors for further collaboration," Matsarsky stated during his appearance on Radio NV.

In December 2024, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius reported, citing his sources, that Syrian rebels who succeeded in toppling Bashar Assad's regime received some assistance from Ukraine, including drones and support from Ukrainian drone operators. Although this support was not decisive, it reportedly helped the opposition to "humiliate" Russia in Syria, according to the columnist.

Ignatius noted that Ukrainian intelligence sent up to 20 experienced drone operators and 150 FPV drones to the rebels' headquarters in Syria's Idlib province to support the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which became a key force in the overthrow of Assad's regime. He emphasized that the program of such assistance from Ukraine in Syria was not a great secret, even though high-ranking officials in the administration of current U.S. President Joe Biden have repeatedly claimed they were unaware of it.

"Ukraine's motivation is clear," the columnist wrote, noting that Ukrainian intelligence is looking for other fronts where it can "stick it to Russia" and undermine the forces of its allies. The author also reminded that on June 3, the Kyiv Post reported, citing a source in Ukrainian intelligence, that "since the beginning of the year, [Syrian] rebels supported by Ukrainian operatives have carried out numerous strikes on Russian military facilities located in the region."

This article referenced video footage showing attacks on a stone bunker, a white van, and other targets that were reportedly struck by rebels in Syria. The Kyiv Post claimed that the operation in Syria was conducted by the special unit Khimik, part of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), "in cooperation with the Syrian opposition." Before the rebels' offensive toppled Assad's regime, Russian officials claimed that Ukraine's connection with the rebel group was allegedly an "attempt to recruit Syrian militants for the war against the Kremlin." Meanwhile, Russia itself was surprised by the rapid advancement of the opposition and made every effort to downplay Ukraine's role, Ignatius emphasized.