Russian Special Operations Forces on the Ground in Syria

Russian Special Forces have been advising and assisting the Syrian Army troops in the battle against Islamic State terrorists in Badiyeh desert in Central Syria. Reports coming out of Russian newspapers have the Russian special operations forces taking an active role in combat in their quest to back the government of President Assad.

The Russian SOF are taking a page out of the coalition SOF book and are conducting tactical reconnaissance, forward air control, light fire support (snipers, anti-tank guided missile teams and mortar detachments) and operational advisory.

A Tabloid newspaper disclosed in mid-March that Russia’s special military units took part in the liberation operation of the ancient city of Palmyra (Tadmur) alongside the Syrian army.

The Russian newspaper, Komsomolskaya Pravda, published pictures of Russian special forces in Palmyra city, writing that the Russian army’s special forces are skilled snipers who killed a large number of the ISIL commanders so far.

“The Russian special forces helped the Russian pilots hit the ISIL’s military positions in the heights near Palmyra more precisely by monitoring and providing them with intelligence,” the newspaper added. Komsomolskaya Pravda also said that the Russian special troops who were equipped with the state-of-the-art weapons, equipment, and modern technology played an important role in recapturing Palmyra by backing the Syrian army troops.

According to netralnews.com, the Russian Special Forces, backed by Moscow Air Force, also participated in the recent military operations in Eastern Hama against ISIL to recapture Aqayrabat as ISIL’s main base in the province which was used by the terrorists to attack the Syrian army positions in the town of Salamiyah. Also, military sources revealed in early May that the Syrian Army troops along with the Russian Special Forces were getting ready to carry out a joint operation against ISIL in Deir Ezzur to lift the siege on the city and airport. They also revealed in late April that Moscow had informed Damascus of its preparedness to dispatch ground troops to Syria.

It is not surprising to learn that Russian Special Operations Forces were conducting operations in support of Assad’s forces against the Islamic State terrorists. It was, however, a change from the norm for their news to not only openly admit it but to show video of their SOF troops in action. They even had an interview of a Russian SOF Officer on his return from Syria.

To read the entire article from The Israeli Homeland Security Bulletin, click here:

Photo courtesy Russian Ministry of Defense SOF YouTube