Reliable sources have told SOHR that batches of Syrian mercenaries have accomplished intensive military training courses under the supervision of tens of Russian officers, regime officers and regime-backed commanders, where they are now ready to be transported to Ukraine, precisely the eastern part, to join the war alongside Russian forces. A batch of those mercenaries may have been transported to Ukraine in the past days, but SOHR could not verify of this information.
On the other hand, intensive military training courses are underway for Syrians who chose to be mercenaries in return for financial incentives. It is worth noting that these training drills escalated after the return of officers of the 25th Division, the Palestinian Liwaa Al-Quds, Al-Baath Battalion and the 5th Corps who participated in the reconnaissance tour in east Ukraine. These officers, whose number approximated 260, had visited east Ukraine in mid-March and stayed for days, before they returned to Syria.
The number of mercenaries who will be transported to Ukraine to join the fighting alongside Russian forces is expected to reach 22,000, where they will be transported in batches in the case that the military operations in Ukraine continue. While the mercenaries will get monthly salaries of an estimated 1,000 EUR each. Also, a compensation of 7,000 EUR will be paid to every mercenary sustains serious injuries, while the families of mercenaries who die in these clashes will receive compensations of 15,000 EUR each.
Yesterday, SOHR sources reported that the “25th Division” of regime forces, which receives orders and funding from Russian forces, continued advanced military training in central and north-west Syria, at the request of Russian forces.
According to Syrian Observatory sources, the “25th Division” led by “Suhail Al-Hassan,” Known as “Tiger,” conducted advanced military drills for the third consecutive day in areas in Idlib, the eastern countryside of Homs and Hama in order to make Russian-backed members and commanders ready to fight in Ukraine alongside the Russians.
These military drills came as an attempt by the Russians to send clear messages to the international community that Syrian military Divisions of the “regime’s army” were on standby to fight alongside Russians in the Russian-Ukrainian war in the event of escalating fighting.
These military drills coincided with the return of representatives of Russian-backed Syrian military forces after conducting a reconnaissance tour in Russia.
Source: SOHR
