Russia may redeploy troops from Syria to Ukraine amid Assad’s fall
Photo: Some Russian troops may be deployed from Syria to Africa (Getty Images)
Amid the collapse of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's regime, Russia may transfer its troops from Syria to Ukraine. However, their numbers will not significantly impact the frontlines, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council.
He informed that, as of the summer of 2024, approximately 6,000 to 7,500 Russian soldiers were stationed in Syria. This number includes personnel from private Russian military companies.
However, this will not have a significant effect on the situation at the front if Russia decides to redeploy them to Ukraine. Kovalenkо argued that this is because the Russian side loses a large number of soldiers every day.
"Even if all of these troops were relocated to Russia and then sent to fight in Ukraine, it would not substantially affect the frontlines, considering the high daily casualties suffered by the Russian army in assault operations," he wrote.
Kovalenko also added that some of these troops could be sent to Africa.
Notably, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine, military expert Ivan Stupak explained whether Russia could move troops from Syria to Ukraine.
According to him, there are indeed concerns about this. However, these soldiers mainly worked in the air, not on the ground. Specifically, they were involved in aviation and piloting. Therefore, this is not about assault troops, although Russia may send them for assault operations.
