Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit, who serves as deputy head of Russia’s Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in Syria, reported that militants affiliated with the Turkistan Islamic Party, a group banned by Russia, attempted to breach Syria’s defenses. Government forces reportedly repelled the assault in the Idlib region, according to Kulit during a briefing for reporters, as quoted by Interfax.
In Mellazha, Kulit stated that militants from the Turkistan Islamic Party pressed the first line of defense of the Syrian army with mortar and artillery support. The attack was held back, and Syrian troops confirmed the neutralization of a number of assailants, with casualties reported on the attacker side. The briefing painted a picture of a resolute defense that prevented a breakthrough in the frontline positions.
Kulit claimed that the United States led international coalition conducted 28 incursions into Syrian airspace. He cited specific platforms involved in these alleged violations, including F-35 and F-16 aircraft as well as MQ-1C unmanned aerial vehicles. These assertions underscore ongoing tensions regarding air operations over Syria and the balance of military activity in the region.
Earlier reporting mentioned a dangerous encounter involving a MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the international coalition when it approached a Russian Su-35 fighter jet overhead in Syria, highlighting the risk of aerial incidents amid complex airspace management. The situation continues to be monitored by military observers and officials in both countries.
Russia has since announced the development of a new drone suppression system aimed at countering hostile unmanned systems, signaling a strategic emphasis on electronic and kinetic countermeasures to reduce the effectiveness of air drones in contested environments. This capability is described as part of a broader effort to strengthen air defense and interoperability with allied forces in the region.