Before the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, there were approximately 6,000 to 7,500 Russian soldiers present, including members of private military companies. Russia may deploy them to the front in Ukraine. This was reported on Monday, December 9, by Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council.
According to the head of the CCD, as of summer 2024, there were about 6,000 to 7,500 Russian military personnel in Syria, including representatives of private military companies. However, Kovalenko stated that this would not have a significant impact on the situation at the front if Russia decides to transfer them to Ukraine. He emphasized that Russians are reporting significant daily losses.
“Therefore, even in the case of transferring all these troops back to Russia for subsequent deployment in the war against Ukraine, it will not substantially affect the situation at the front, considering the quite high daily losses of the Russian army in assault operations. Moreover, some of these soldiers may be redirected to Africa,” he added.
It is worth noting that on December 8, the Sunni radical group "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" (HTS) announced the liberation of Syria's capital, Damascus. Subsequently, opposition leader Hadi al-Bahra reported the fall of Assad's regime.
The press service of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine noted that the Russians began withdrawing their troops and vessels from the military base in the province of Tartus after the regime of Bashar al-Assad, supported by Russia, lost control over the capital of Syria.