Russian UAV operators are being trained for the war against Ukraine at the Shayrat airfield in Syria. The exercises are being conducted by the Lebanese Hezbollah Police and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported.
The Lebanese-Iranian-Russian training course involves mastering the Shahed-136 and Ababil-3, as well as the Raad remote-controlled aircraft. The military exercises are led by one of Hezbollah's commanders, Kamal Abu Sadik, who specialises in the manufacture and maintenance of drones.
"Along with the Russians, mercenaries from Syria are undergoing training, whom Moscow plans to use in the war against Ukraine as UAV operators," the intelligence report said.
The DIU has recently reported that Russia was recruiting mercenaries in Syria for the war against Ukrainians. The mercenaries are trained in Syria and then transported to Russia, where they are issued passports.