Russia spreads fakes about Ukraine in Syria due to rebel successes – Center for Countering Disinformation

According to the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), Russia continues to actively disseminate "reports" from Syria, alleging Ukraine's involvement in exacerbating the region's security situation.

"All so-called investigations by Russian propagandists are based solely on their fantasies, contain no evidence, and do not reflect reality," the CCD stated.

However, they emphasized that the real responsibility for the ongoing war in Syria lies with Russia, as its military presence in the country has lasted for over nine years.

"For Putin, involvement in the war in Syria serves as a tool for further destabilization in the region, a platform to expand influence in Africa, and a means to maintain the presence of the Russian navy in the Mediterranean Sea to exert additional pressure on the West," the CCD concluded.

Syrian civil war

Some rebel groups in Syria, including Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian National Army, are referred to as pro-Turkish, though Türkiye's influence over them is limited. While Ankara is reportedly supporting these forces, Israeli expert David Sharp argues that Türkiye does not control the rebels, who have recently launched an offensive in the Aleppo province.

Russia, as an ally of Bashar al-Assad, supports the Syrian regime with military forces and airstrikes aimed at suppressing the rebels. At the same time, Russian troops are suffering losses, and the actions of the Russian air force are causing civilian casualties.

According to political expert Taras Zahorodnii, if Assad's regime were to fall, Russia would lose a critical tool for exerting influence in the Middle East.

It has also been reported that Russian forces have already withdrawn from Syria's Hama and are retreating from Damascus. On December 1, Syrian rebels were reported to have fully taken control of Aleppo.