The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, listed as a terrorist group and banned in Russia), operating in Syria, has seized a Buk anti-aircraft missile system (SAM), which previously belonged to the Syrian army. According to information from OSINT analyst Woofers, published on the X social network, the militants may use this system to organize an ambush on Russian military aircraft performing combat missions in the region.

"Systems like the Buk pose a serious threat to Russian forces. Even if the militants have limited ammunition, a well-organized ambush can cause serious damage. Older aircraft or those flown by less experienced pilots can be especially vulnerable," — the analyst said in a statement.

Experts emphasize that the capture of such weapons increases the capabilities of HTS militants, especially in the context of the limited air superiority of the Syrian army. The use of air defense systems on key routes where Russian air operations take place could become a serious challenge for aviation.

At present, Russian forces in Syria continue to support the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad in the fight against opposition groups.

Previously, similar situations involving the use of captured equipment have already posed a threat to military operations. Despite the limited amount of ammunition, even a single successful missile launch can affect the course of military operations and become a propaganda victory for the militants.