Ukraine helped Syrian rebels overthrow Bashar al-Assad, Washington Post writesThe Washington Post published an article by columnist David Ignatius, which reveals details of Ukraine's alleged assistance to the Syrian group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia - editor's note), which overthrew Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. According to the publication's sources, in November, Ukrainian intelligence sent 20 experienced drone operators and about 150 FPV drones to Idlib. The purpose of the mission, as stated, was to carry out a covert strike on Russian operations in Syria and undermine Moscow's positions in the Middle East.

Ignatius writes that Kyiv was looking for additional ways to weaken Russia, faced with its pressure inside Ukraine.

"Ukrainian intelligence has found a new front to fight Russian influence - in Syria. This operation, although carried out secretly, did not become a special secret", — the author notes.

The article cites a June Kyiv Post article in which a Ukrainian intelligence official claimed that since the beginning of the year, Syrian rebels, backed by Ukrainian specialists, have repeatedly attacked military targets in the region. The operation, he said, was carried out by a GUR unit codenamed "Khimik" in conjunction with Syrian oppositionists.

Russian officials, including Russia's special representative for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, have previously expressed concern about the presence of Ukrainian intelligence officers in Idlib.

The operation in Syria, as the observer writes, was not the only example of Ukrainian intelligence activities abroad. In August, Ukraine allegedly participated in organizing an ambush on Wagner Group mercenaries in Mali, which led to their major losses.