Syrian fighters ready to join next phase of Ukraine war
2 years, 8 months ago

Syrian fighters ready to join next phase of Ukraine war

LA Times  

Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, gestures while speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 7, 2020. Gen. Suheil Hassan’s division are among hundreds of Russian-trained Syrian fighters who have reportedly signed up to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, including Syrian soldiers, former rebels and experienced fighters who fought for years against the Islamic State group in Syria’s desert. “Russia is preparing for a greater battle” in Ukraine and Syrian fighters are likely to take part, said Ahmad Hamada, a Syrian army defector who is now a military analyst based in Turkey. Hassan “is one of Russia’s men and Russia will depend on him,” said Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who runs the DeirEzzor 24, a Syria war monitoring group. Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in early March that so far there are only “very small groups” trying to make their way from Syria to Ukraine, calling it a “very small trickle.” Retired Lebanese army general Naji Malaeb, who follows the war in Syria closely, said there is no indication so far of Syrian fighters traveling to Russia, but this could change as the war drags on.

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History of this topic

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,019
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,019

Al Jazeera  

Here is the situation on Monday, December 9: We discussed important issues on the battlefield and in the global situation, from our frontlines to North Korea. I stated that we need a just and enduring… United States President-elect Donald Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end “the madness”, prompting Zelenskyy and the …

Amid opposition forces' offensive, are Russian military bases in Syria at risk?
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Amid opposition forces' offensive, are Russian military bases in Syria at risk?

Firstpost  

As Syrian opposition forces have pushed President Bashar al-Assad’s forces on the defensive, the prized Russian military bases in Syria no longer appear to be impenetrable fortresses they once were Even though President Bashar al-Assad rules Syria, it has long been an open secret that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been the force behind his rule. Russia maintains four military …

Syrian civil war: Assad-backer Russia says ‘in close contact’ with ally Iran and also pro-rebel Turkey
Trending News
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Syrian civil war: Assad-backer Russia says ‘in close contact’ with ally Iran and also pro-rebel Turkey

Firstpost  

Russia, Iran and Turkey are in “close contact” over the conflict in Syria, Moscow said Wednesday, after a shock offensive has seen Islamist-led rebels capture the second-largest city of Aleppo Anti-government fighters pose for a selfie on a Syrian regime military aircraft at the Kweyris military airfield in the eastern part of Aleppo province on Tuesday. AFP Russia, Iran and …

Ukraine needs more troops fighting Russia. Hardened professionals from Colombia are helping
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Ukraine needs more troops fighting Russia. Hardened professionals from Colombia are helping

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Melodic Colombian Spanish fills a hospital treating soldiers wounded fighting Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. A wounded professional soldier from Medellín, Colombia who goes by the call sign of Checho, 32, smiles as he holds gifts from Ukrainian children in a hospital in Ukraine Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Wounded Colombian veterans who joined Ukrainian armed forces to …

Dismayed by Moscow’s war, Russian volunteers are joining Ukrainian ranks to fight Putin’s troops
1 year ago

Dismayed by Moscow’s war, Russian volunteers are joining Ukrainian ranks to fight Putin’s troops

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — When Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ignited into war, back in Moscow, a young Russian who now goes by the name of Karabas was plunged into despair. Members of the pro-Ukrainian Russian ethnic Siberian Battalion practice at a military training close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Ukraine’s military has formed a battalion of soldiers made up …

Russia-Ukraine war latest: No plans to deploy British troops to Ukraine, Sunak says
1 year, 2 months ago

Russia-Ukraine war latest: No plans to deploy British troops to Ukraine, Sunak says

The Telegraph  

Rishi Sunak said on Sunday there were no immediate plans to deploy military instructors to Ukraine, rowing back on comments by his defence minister who had suggested troops could carry out training in the country. One idea is to move “more training and production” of military equipment into Ukraine, he said, while calling on more British defence firms to set …

Ukraine special forces fight off Russian jet to retake strategic drilling rigs near Crimea, Kyiv says
1 year, 3 months ago

Ukraine special forces fight off Russian jet to retake strategic drilling rigs near Crimea, Kyiv says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ukrainian special forces regained control …

Milley says fighting in Ukraine has increased and cautions the war with Russia will be lengthy
1 year, 6 months ago

Milley says fighting in Ukraine has increased and cautions the war with Russia will be lengthy

Associated Press  

AMERICAN CEMETERY, Normandy, France — U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley said Tuesday that fighting in Ukraine has increased, but he cautioned against reading too much into each day’s operations. “There’s activity throughout Russian-occupied Ukraine and fighting has picked up a bit,” Milley said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France …

Pro-Ukraine Russian fighters claim captives, offer trade for meeting with governor
1 year, 6 months ago

Pro-Ukraine Russian fighters claim captives, offer trade for meeting with governor

The Hindu  

A group of pro-Ukraine Russian fighters involved in recent incursions into Russia's border region of Belgorod said on Sunday they had taken two Russian soldiers captive and offered to exchange them for a meeting with the regional Governor. The Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps have reported fighting battles in the region in recent days as Kyiv …

Assad welcomes new Russian bases in Syria after Putin meeting
1 year, 9 months ago

Assad welcomes new Russian bases in Syria after Putin meeting

Al Jazeera  

The Syrian leader made the comments during a visit to Moscow, and added that he wouldn’t meet Turkish President Erdogan. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that he would welcome any Russian proposals to set up new military bases and boost troop numbers in the Middle Eastern country, suggesting Moscow’s military presence there should become permanent. Al-Assad, who met President …

Russian reinforcements pour into eastern Ukraine ahead of anticipated new offensive, local governor says
1 year, 10 months ago

Russian reinforcements pour into eastern Ukraine ahead of anticipated new offensive, local governor says

ABC  

Russia is pouring reinforcements into eastern Ukraine ahead of a new offensive that could begin next week along a front where there have been relentless battles for months, a Ukrainian governor has said. Key points: Ukraine anticipates a major offensive could be launched by Russia around the February 24 anniversary of the invasion President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said personnel changes will …

Ukraine says Russia is preparing for fresh push on war's eastern front as anniversary of invasion approaches
1 year, 10 months ago

Ukraine says Russia is preparing for fresh push on war's eastern front as anniversary of invasion approaches

ABC  

Ukrainian officials say Russia is mustering its military might in the Luhansk region, in what Ukraine suspects is preparation for an offensive in the eastern area in coming weeks as the anniversary of Moscow's invasion approaches. Key points: Moscow seems to be transferring troops, preparing for something on the eastern front, says the Luhansk governor Russian forces have been trying …

Russia takes steps to bolster army, tighten grip on Ukraine
2 years, 6 months ago

Russia takes steps to bolster army, tighten grip on Ukraine

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order Wednesday to fast track Russian citizenship for residents of parts of southern Ukraine largely held by his forces, while lawmakers in Moscow passed a bill to strengthen the stretched Russian army. The chair of the Russian parliament’s defense committee, Andrei Kartapolov, said the measure would make it easier to hire …

Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is 'personal' for soldiers protecting their families in the Donetsk region
2 years, 7 months ago

Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is 'personal' for soldiers protecting their families in the Donetsk region

ABC  

Ukrainian troops on the frontline of Russia's war don't pretend to know what's going through the minds of "the enemy", but if they had to guess, they think the invaders' hearts aren't in it. Dimas, a Ukraine soldier taking the ABC to the frontline near Shevchenko, in the Donetsk region, says the Russians might have "thought they'd be welcomed here". …

Ukraine security chief: Main battles taking place in Donbas
2 years, 8 months ago

Ukraine security chief: Main battles taking place in Donbas

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s security chief said Friday that the main battles in Ukraine are taking place in the Donbas, the industrial heartland in the east, with Russians deploying more and more troops every day. Some 12 to 14 of Russia’s elite military units have left the strategic post city of Mariupol, which was declared “liberated” by the Kremlin on …

Syrian fighters ready to join next phase of Ukraine war
2 years, 8 months ago

Syrian fighters ready to join next phase of Ukraine war

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — During a visit to Syria in 2017, Vladimir Putin lavished praise on a Syrian general whose division played an instrumental role in defeating insurgents in the country’s long-running civil war. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan’s division are among hundreds of Russian-trained Syrian fighters who have reportedly signed up to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, including Syrian soldiers, former rebels …

Putin's propaganda playbook shows how an army of fake fact-checkers is sowing doubt and confusion in Ukraine
2 years, 8 months ago

Putin's propaganda playbook shows how an army of fake fact-checkers is sowing doubt and confusion in Ukraine

ABC  

A week before the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv came under intense shelling for the first time since World War II, an alarming video announcement was circulating on encrypted messaging app, Telegram. "There's an evolution in media manipulation tactics we haven't seen at this scale before," Dr Donovan said. The Russian Security Council's deputy chairman, Dmitry Medvedev, said "enraged beasts from …

In Syria, Russia leads effort to recruit fighters for Ukraine
2 years, 8 months ago

In Syria, Russia leads effort to recruit fighters for Ukraine

Al Jazeera  

Analysts say Moscow has been recruiting Syrian fighters through its mercenary network and local groups. The US Pentagon said it has seen indicators that the Wagner Group has been recruiting fighters from Syria, Libya, and other countries with a goal to deploy “a thousand or so” in the eastern province. Recruitment centres A fighter in Homs with the recently disbanded …

Russia's military is under pressure in Ukraine and refocusing on the east is likely to be a bloody campaign
2 years, 8 months ago

Russia's military is under pressure in Ukraine and refocusing on the east is likely to be a bloody campaign

ABC  

This week saw the first briefing from the Russian military on their "special military operation" in Ukraine. Speaking in front of a massive screen showing maps and videos from Russia's Ukraine operations, Colonel General Sergei Rudskoi's short update provided several interesting pieces of information. Russia's Plan A, B and now C Ukraine has taken combat casualties, and it has had …

‘The same enemy’: Syrians endured Russian bombing for years. Now they urge Ukrainians to fight but expect the worst
2 years, 8 months ago

‘The same enemy’: Syrians endured Russian bombing for years. Now they urge Ukrainians to fight but expect the worst

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. And now they are trying to do to Ukraine …

Ukraine war: Why is Russia encouraging foreign fighters to join?
2 years, 9 months ago

Ukraine war: Why is Russia encouraging foreign fighters to join?

Al Jazeera  

Analysts say the Kremlin may have been inspired by Ukraine’s similar step and warn of ominous consequences. On March 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin threw his support behind a plan to recruit what he characterised as eager foreign volunteer fighters to join his forces in Ukraine and “help the people who live in the Donbas”. In addition to employing the …

Has Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine lost momentum? | In Focus podcast
2 years, 9 months ago

Has Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine lost momentum? | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

We are now into the fourth week of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and there is still not much clarity or consensus on whether and to what extent, Russia has been able to execute its military objectives in this time period. While there is no doubt that Ukraine has decisively won the propaganda war, with the world’s sympathy overwhelmingly in its …

For Syrian survivors, Russia’s tactics in Ukraine eerily similar
2 years, 9 months ago

For Syrian survivors, Russia’s tactics in Ukraine eerily similar

Al Jazeera  

After years of propping up President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, experts say Russian forces are using the same military playbook in Ukraine. The same tactics and scenes,” al-Fares said, claiming that attacks on hospitals increased when Russia began launching air raids in 2015 in support of Syrian government forces. “Everything that provides life and sustainability for civilians is a target …

Ukraine latest updates: Civilian convoy leaves besieged Mariupol
2 years, 9 months ago

Ukraine latest updates: Civilian convoy leaves besieged Mariupol

Al Jazeera  

Ukraine news from March 14: Attempts to evacuate civilians and deliver badly needed humanitarian aid had failed for several days. 14 Mar 2022 - 19:43 GMT Ukraine’s economy could collapse if war drags on: IMF The Russian invasion could plunge Ukraine into a devastating recession, the International Monetary Fund has said. 14 Mar 2022 - 11:20 GMT Ukraine nationalist leader …

Russia-Ukraine war military dispatch: March 12, 2022
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia-Ukraine war military dispatch: March 12, 2022

Al Jazeera  

Fighting rages near Kyiv as conditions deteriorate in other major Ukrainian cities under Russian bombardment. Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow will treat Western arms shipments to Ukraine as legitimate military targets. Mariupol under heavy bombardment While the Ukrainian forces said they have almost destroyed a Russian battalion near Mariupol, the city remains under heavy Russian bombardment …

EXPLAINER: Will Russia bring Syrian fighters to Ukraine?
2 years, 9 months ago

EXPLAINER: Will Russia bring Syrian fighters to Ukraine?

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — With Russia’s war on Ukraine now in its third week, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday approved bringing in volunteer fighters from the Middle East, particularly Syria. Russia’s military is deeply entrenched in the Mideast country, where its intervention — starting in 2015 — helped Syrian President Bashar Assad gain the upper hand in the ongoing, 11-year civil …

Russia Ukraine War: Putin approves 'volunteer fighters' to Ukraine
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia Ukraine War: Putin approves 'volunteer fighters' to Ukraine

India TV News  

Highlights Vladimir Putin ordered volunteer fighters should be brought into Ukraine. Putin told Shoigu that Russia should help would-be volunteers to “move to the combat zone” Since 2015, Russian forces have backed Syrian President al-Assad against various opposition groups Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered that so-called volunteer fighters should be brought into Ukraine. Since 2015, Russian forces have backed …

Latest Ukraine updates: UN stresses ‘urgent’ need for talks
2 years, 9 months ago

Latest Ukraine updates: UN stresses ‘urgent’ need for talks

Al Jazeera  

Ukraine-Russia news from March 11: UN says it is not aware of Ukraine biological weapons programme. “Importantly, US citizens who travel to Ukraine – especially with the purpose of participating in the fighting in Ukraine – they face significant risks, including the very real risk of capture or death.” 11 Mar 2022 - 19:37 GMT Russian claims rejected at UN …

For foreigners volunteering to fight against Russia, Ukraine offers camaraderie and a cause
2 years, 9 months ago

For foreigners volunteering to fight against Russia, Ukraine offers camaraderie and a cause

India Today  

Michael Ferkol, who once served as a supply specialist with engineer battalions in the U.S. Army, had been in Rome studying archaeology when he heard the Ukrainian president's appeal for foreign fighters. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON UKRAINE-RUSSIA WAR UKRAINE'S INTERNATIONAL LEGION Ukraine has established an "international" legion for people from abroad and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly urged foreigners to …

Is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine going to plan for Moscow?
2 years, 9 months ago

Is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine going to plan for Moscow?

Al Jazeera  

Russian forces are reported to be struggling with poor logistics and low morale, while facing strong resistance. It’s been nearly two weeks since Russia’s president launched an invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin promised to demilitarise and ‘de-nazify’ the country, and protect civilians he says have been abused by Ukraine’s government. Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault Guests: Pavel Felgenhauer – Defence and …

Russia recruiting Syrians for urban combat in Ukraine, US officials say
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia recruiting Syrians for urban combat in Ukraine, US officials say

Live Mint  

WASHINGTON : Moscow is recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to fight in Ukraine as Russia’s invasion is poised to expand deeper into cities, according to U.S. officials. An American assessment indicates that Russia, which has been operating inside Syria since 2015, has in recent days been recruiting fighters from there, hoping their expertise in urban combat can help take …

U.S. officials deploy more troops to Europe as Russian advance stalls
2 years, 9 months ago

U.S. officials deploy more troops to Europe as Russian advance stalls

LA Times  

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, pictured above in Brussels in February, ordered the deployment of an additional 500 U.S. troops to Europe to deter Russia from broadening its unprovoked war in Ukraine. The U.S. military ordered the deployment of 500 additional troops to Europe, pushing the total number of American forces on the continent to about 100,000 as …

Ukraine conflict: Russia will meet targets through talks or war, warns Putin; go on offensive, Zelenskyy urges public
2 years, 9 months ago

Ukraine conflict: Russia will meet targets through talks or war, warns Putin; go on offensive, Zelenskyy urges public

Firstpost  

Over 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian attack began on 24 February, with over half going to Poland, according to the UN refugee agency and the UN has said Ukraine is the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II With no end in sight, on Sunday, the Russian invasion of Ukraine entered the eleventh day. Putin in …

Syrians recount horror under Russian air attacks
2 years, 9 months ago

Syrians recount horror under Russian air attacks

Al Jazeera  

Al Jazeera talks to Syrians who endured Russian air strikes as Moscow tries to advance its invasion of Ukraine. “He is going to go full Aleppo on Ukraine now, isn’t he?” al-Khatib, having lived through the days when the Syrian city was under intense attack, asked in shock. Now, in Ukraine, reports have shown Russian forces also bombing civilian areas …

Russia’s Syria intervention provided hints for Ukraine war
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia’s Syria intervention provided hints for Ukraine war

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — From a tent in the rebel-held pocket of Syria, Ahmad Rakan has closely followed news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “There is no doubt that the Russian intervention in Ukraine is an accumulation of a series of Russian military interventions in Georgia in 2008, Crimea in 2014 and Syria in 2015,” said Ibrahim Hamidi, a Syrian journalist and …

Australians urged not to join Ukraine war, with fears that extremists could return to radicalise others
2 years, 9 months ago

Australians urged not to join Ukraine war, with fears that extremists could return to radicalise others

ABC  

Political leaders and terror experts warn that Australians with radical views could be drawn to take part in the conflict in Ukraine, potentially posing a security risk if they return home. Key points: Thousands of foreign fighters, including Australians, have previously travelled to Ukraine Analysts fear extremists could join the fighting there to boost their credentials Labor MP and violent …

Ukraine Update: Russian troops enter Ukraine\'s second city, fighting under way
2 years, 9 months ago

Ukraine Update: Russian troops enter Ukraine\'s second city, fighting under way

Deccan Chronicle  

KYIV: Russian troops have entered Ukraine's second city Kharkiv and fighting was underway on Sunday, the head of the regional administration said on the fourth day of Moscow's invasion of the pro-Western country. Britain’s Ministry of Defense said “the speed of the Russian advance has temporarily slowed likely as a result of acute logistical difficulties and strong Ukrainian resistance.” A …

Ukrainians on front lines of conflict 'fed up', fearful and determined ahead of looming Russian invasion
2 years, 10 months ago

Ukrainians on front lines of conflict 'fed up', fearful and determined ahead of looming Russian invasion

ABC  

Zoya, a pensioner who lives near the front line of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, cowered under the stairs as fresh shelling shook her home. Live: Russia-Ukraine tensions mount Photo shows A woman holds a sign that reads "stop Putin", with a Ukrainian flag in the background Ukraine's Foreign Minister says the world is at a "critical juncture" for international …

The Russians going against Putin in Ukraine
2 years, 10 months ago

The Russians going against Putin in Ukraine

Al Jazeera  

Russians who fought in 2014’s war say they are ready to return to battlefield against their own gov’t if conflict breaks out in Ukraine. “Today, these people, associated with the National Corps party, have no control over the unit.” However, Azov Battalion’s rightist sympathies were considered troubling enough for the United States Congress to bar it from receiving aid in …

Ukrainian military long on morale but short on weaponry
3 years ago

Ukrainian military long on morale but short on weaponry

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — When Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and threw its support behind separatists in the country’s east more than seven years ago, Kyiv’s underfunded and disorganized armed forces struggled to mount a credible response. Now, amid fears that a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine’s border could signal a possible attack, military experts say Moscow would face stronger resistance …

As Russia rattles sabers, Ukraine’s military is long on morale but short on weaponry
3 years ago

As Russia rattles sabers, Ukraine’s military is long on morale but short on weaponry

LA Times  

A Ukrainian soldier walks along the line of separation between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels in the Donetsk region. Now, amid fears that a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine’s border could signal a possible attack, military experts say Moscow would face stronger resistance this time. “We Ukrainians are defending our land, and there is no place for us to retreat,” …

Among ordinary Russians, little appetite for war in Ukraine
3 years ago

Among ordinary Russians, little appetite for war in Ukraine

LA Times  

Ukrainian soldiers walk past destroyed buildings in Marinka, Ukraine, on Wednesday. Ethnic Russians living there, he wrote in an essay, “are being forced not only to deny their roots, generations of their ancestors, but also to believe that Russia is their enemy.” Despite a constant stream of bellicose rhetoric from Russian state-controlled media about the supposed threat posed by a …

Is Russia moving towards war with Ukraine?
3 years, 8 months ago

Is Russia moving towards war with Ukraine?

Al Jazeera  

Russia is amassing troops and weaponry near Ukraine’s eastern border, a move some observers say is a strategic show of force. Asked why it amassed 40,000 troops, armoured personnel carriers, tanks and artillery near Ukraine’s eastern border and another 40,000 servicemen in annexed Crimea in recent weeks, Moscow “refused to provide substantial information”, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday. “ …

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