“According to Ukrainian intelligence, the information about the withdrawal of Russian troops and equipment from Syria is true”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
“The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine does not comment on the specified information from the newspapers. We do not confirm or deny this information,” the response reads.
The GUR, on the other hand, states that Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria, which had the support of Russia for almost 10 years, has been overthrown, which is “proof of the collapse of the Kremlin’s next military and political adventure.”
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the information about the withdrawal of Russian troops and equipment from Syria is true – the Russian contingent is moving from remote regions of Syria to the air base in Khmeimim and the naval base in the city of Tartus:
“For the evacuation of personnel, weapons and military equipment from Syria, Russia involved its military transport aircraft, as well as ships of the navy.”
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The administration announces data according to which the Russian troops in Syria faced a shortage of drinking water and food, but this problem “is not global and generally does not have an acute nature for the contingent of the Russian Federation in Syria.”
When asked whether Russia would be able to negotiate with the new Syrian government on the preservation of its military bases, GUR pointed out that Moscow had changed its rhetoric regarding the rebels after their victory. In particular, the Kremlin announced the possible exclusion of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group from the list of terrorist organizations.
“At the same time, the new government in Syria receives alternative offers of support from other states on the condition that Russia is deprived of control over military bases on Syrian territory,” the agency’s press service adds.
At the same time, the final expulsion of Russian troops from Syria will mean increased security not only for the Middle East, but also for Africa, according to GUR.
Read also: Russia is preparing some of its military equipment for export from Syria
Commenting on possible food supplies to Syria from Ukraine instead of Russia, the intelligence service reminds that food supplies are protected by international law. At the same time, Ukraine “has already proven its strength and ability to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.”
In response to a question about the situation of Ukrainian citizens in Syria after the overthrow of the Assad regime, the GUR reported that they “are receiving adequate assistance.”
On December 11, the American edition of the Washington Post reported with reference to its sources that the Syrian rebels of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, which are currently in power in Damascus, received help from Ukraine.
According to journalists, the rebels received drones and other support from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. In particular, we are talking about about 20 experienced UAV operators and about 150 drones with a first-person view.
PHOTO GALLERY: “They look tense.” Report on the Russian base in Syria (photo gallery)