Russian forces are experiencing significant losses during the offensive by rebels in Syria. In light of this, the Kremlin has replaced the commander of its troops.
This information was reported by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry via Telegram.
According to intelligence sources, after three days of successful offensive actions by pro-Turkish forces in Syria, Russian troops have suffered considerable losses.
«Some units of the aggressor state are encircled. Hundreds of Moscow troops are reported missing in Syria», – the statement reads.
Amid the heavy losses of Russian troops in Syria, the Kremlin dismissed General Sergey Kiselyov, the commander of the group stationed in the Arab Republic. He had previously been associated with unsuccessful actions for the Russian Federation during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which led to his assignment to the Syrian mission.
«To replace Kiselyov and assist Bashar Assad's regime, Moscow has sent another military leader – General Alexander Chayko, who commanded the group of Russian troops in Syria from 2017 to 2019, has already arrived in the Arab country», – the GUR reports.
Additionally, the commander of the Russian Navy, Admiral Alexander Moiseev, has also appeared at the naval base in the city of Tartus.
It is worth noting that in Syria, the largest battles in the last four years have erupted between the government forces of Bashar Assad and opposition groups. The ground operation marks the first large-scale offensive since the ceasefire declared in March 2020.
Russia, a key ally of Assad, has promised additional military assistance to Damascus.