Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Bashar al-Assad in a meeting outside Damascus, Syria, January 7, 2020


Amid rumors that Russia — struggling with its invasion of Ukraine — is recruiting Assad regime fighters from Syria, I joined Austria’s Radio FM4 on Friday to sort out the possibilities.

Listen to Discussion at 13:45

I explain that the claim should be treated with caution, given the lack of effective of Assad personnel in the 11-year Syrian conflict. However, Russia could bring in Chechen fighters who have experience in Syria’s battles, as well as the mercenaries of the Wagner Group.

The Kremlin is worried that its own troops will return home in bodybags.

The Russian attempt on the one hand to wage an all-out war in Ukraine, and on the other to minimize it for its domestic population, is an added incentive to use troops from the Syrian theater — but not necessarily Syrians.

We also discuss how the White Helmets civil defense organization, having saved more than 100,000 lives in Syria, may assist Ukraine with training videos.