Ukrainian drones aiding Syrian jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)?

This is a weird story.

The Syrian rebels' stunning offensive and capture of Aleppo has sparked rumours that Ukraine played a role in helping plan the operation against the Russian-allied Damascus government.

Over the years, Ukrainian intelligence has leaked videos allegedly showing sabotage and attacks targeting Russians based in northern Syria.

These attacks often involved first-person-view (FPV) "kamikaze" drones, a technology Ukraine has excelled in using since the 2022 Russian invasion.

Many observers in Turkey believe the use of FPV drones has given Syrian opposition fighters a significant advantage against Bashar al-Assad's forces over recent days.

These drones allowed rebels to target beyond the firing line, rendering armoured vehicles ineffective through coordinated assaults and causing frontlines to collapse. (1)

Ukraine has had considerable need for its own supply of weapons these last three years. Why they would be sending them to Syria isn’t clear at first glance.

The story also cites Russian sources citing collaboration between Ukrainian officials and Ukrainian rebels.

Since Russia was providing aid to the Syrian government against rebel forces, it’s makes sense that some Ukrainians may have been sent there to at least observe Russian tactics.

Reuters reports:

Syrian fighters received about 150 drones as well as other covert support from Ukrainian intelligence operatives last month, weeks ahead of the rebels' advance that toppled Bashar al-Assad over the weekend, according to the Washington Post.

Citing unnamed sources familiar with Ukrainian military activities, the Post late on Tuesday said Ukrainian intelligence sent about 20 drone operators and about 150 first-person-view drones about four to five weeks ago to aid Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Russia's foreign ministry had earlier said, without providing evidence, that the rebels had received drones from Ukraine and training in how to operate them, an accusation that Ukraine's foreign ministry at the time said it "categorically" rejected. (2)

It’s probably no more than an interesting footnote in the larger picture. It’s worth remembering that Russia generally takes a dim view of jihadist insurgents. And the HTS group that took Damascus is one of those. So Russia may be happy to associate Ukraine with jihadists. But this could very well be just another “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” story.

Notes:

(1) Soylu, Ragip (2024): Has Ukraine helped the Syrian rebel offensive in Aleppo? Middle East Eye 12/02/2024. <https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/has-ukraine-helped-syrian-rebel-offensive-aleppo> (Accessed: 2024-12-12).

(2) Ukrainian operatives aided Syrian rebels with drones, Washington Post reports. Reuters 12/11/2024. <https://www.reuters.com/world/ukrainian-operatives-aided-syrian-rebels-with-drones-washington-post-reports-2024-12-11/> (Accessed: 2024-12-12).