The Kyiv Post reports that Ukraine’s military intelligence provided tactical training to some Islamist groups.
According to a Sunday Kyiv Post article, a Ukrainian military intelligence special forces unit, the Khimik Group, provided “operational training” to militant groups in Syria’s Idlib province. The training, reportedly based on tactics used in the conflict with Russia, included drone operation. The Kyiv Post cited Islamist social media as its source.
The Khimik Group’s alleged Syria activity is ongoing. The Kyiv Post previously reported in September that the unit successfully attacked a Russian military base near Aleppo, a claim Moscow did not address.
The Kyiv Post also published video footage purportedly showing a Ukrainian military intelligence flag in Aleppo province, claiming a “special operation” to target Russian forces in Syria. The Russian military has not reported major attacks or significant losses in Syria recently.
A coalition of Idlib-based militias and extremist groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly Jabhat al-Nusra (an Al-Qaeda affiliate), attacked government-held territory in northern Syria on Wednesday.
The terrorists initially claimed to have captured 400 square kilometers and reached Aleppo. Government forces have since repelled the advance, with Russian and Syrian airstrikes targeting the militants.
Syria’s SANA news agency reported on Sunday that government forces thwarted a terrorist offensive near Hama, inflicting heavy casualties. Syrian President Bashar Assad vowed to defeat the terrorists.
In July, Ukraine’s HUR admitted to aiding Tuareg militants in the Sahel region following an attack that killed Wagner Group mercenaries and local forces in Mali. This triggered a diplomatic crisis.
Mali’s foreign minister called for UN Security Council action against Ukraine. Damascus also accused Kyiv of allying with HTS, claiming Ukrainian operatives supplied the group with US-provided weapons.