Militants from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia – editor’s note) group, according to preliminary data, have captured a Buk anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) abandoned by the Syrian armed forces. The system was spotted in a convoy of militants near the strategically important city of Khanasir. Information about the condition of the system and the presence of anti-aircraft guided missiles remains unclear, but the fact of its capture raises serious concerns.

Journalist and military analyst Thomas van Linge noted that such cases indicate growing problems in the Syrian army's defense capability.

"If this system still contains missiles and militants figure out how to operate them, the ability of the Syrian army to conduct effective combat operations will be at risk," - he declared.

The expert also stressed that such a trophy could significantly change the balance of power in the region, especially considering that the Buk is capable of hitting both aircraft and cruise missiles.

The SAM was found on the side of the road in the area of ​​the recent HTS offensive, which has already caused significant losses for the Syrian army. The abandonment of such equipment on the battlefield raises many questions about the state of logistics and command of the Syrian troops. There have been previous reports in the region of military personnel abandoning important military facilities and equipment to save their personnel.

If the militants are indeed able to master the operation of the system, this could jeopardize the air operations of the Syrian and Russian Aerospace Forces, which play a key role in countering HTS.