Russia's intervention in Syria in 2015, initially aimed at supporting President Assad’s regime, during the civil war, has led to a permanent deployment of thousands of Russian troops there.
Moscow relocated some troops and equipment from Syria to the Ukrainian battlefield last autumn of 2022, potentially making their troops in Syria more vulnerable to Ukraine's attacks in the region.
At the same time, given a prolonged presence in the region, the Russians have created multiple recruitment centers for the deployment of Syrian mercenaries in Ukraine.
The recruitment of mercenaries is conducted under the supervision of the “Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides and Refugee Movement Control” from the Russian-occupied Khmeimim Air Base.
There, mercenaries are issued Russian passports and then mobilized into the Russian Armed Forces.
In May 2023, HUR Chief Kyrylo Budanov vowed to “destroy Russian war criminals anywhere in the world, wherever they are.”
In addition to Syria, Ukrainian HUR special forces continue their hunt for pro-Kremlin Wagner PMC mercenaries in Sudan.
