Ukrainian intelligence: Russian attack drone operators train at Syria's Shayrat airfield for war against Ukraine

SHAYRAT, Syria (Svidomi) — Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate claims that Russian UAV operators are being trained for the war against Ukraine at Shayrat Airfield in Syria.

The Lebanese Hezbollah Police and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (of Iran) train Russian drone operators at the Syrian airfield of Shayrat.

The joint course for Russian and Syrian mercenaries involves mastering Shahed-136 and Ababil-3 drones, as well as the Raad remote-controlled aircraft.

"The military exercises are headed by one of Hezbollah's commanders, Kamal Abu Sadik, who specialises in the manufacture and maintenance of drones," the Ukrainian intelligence service says.

Earlier, DIU reported that Russia was recruiting mercenaries in Syria to participate in the war against Ukraine.

The mercenaries are being trained near the Syrian city of Aleppo and the Kuweires airfield.

"The first batch - about 1,000 mercenaries - is undergoing training with an emphasis on combat operations in urban areas," Ukrainian intelligence says.

After the training, the Syrians are to be transported to Russia, where they will be issued Russian passports and mobilised into the army. 

Russia carries out military recruitment through travel agencies. Syrians are promised jobs as security guards in Sakha (Yakutia) and then lured to "better-paid jobs" in Buryatia.