HTS Reaches Homs, Russian Losses Grow Heavier

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — DEC 6 2024

Today’s email brings you news from Syria and Russia.

1 - SYRIA

1 thing to know

HTS is closing in on the city of Homs.

The context 

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - a former Al-Qaeda affiliate group - has continued their rapidly advancing offensive.

The rebels are now on the outskirts of Homs, a strategic city that could potentially cut off Damascus - the capital of Syria - from coastal regions.

More from the region

US-backed Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have captured Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria and the Albu Kamal border crossing with Iraq, expanding their territorial control.

Russia, Jordan, and the US have urged their nationals to leave Syria. Turkey is no longer supporting the HTS group, likely worried that their goals no longer align. Turkish leader Erdogan has ordered HTS assets frozen in Turkey.

The Turkey-backed SNA group has also announced a renewed offensive against the Kurdish-held town of Manbij.

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: THE LYUT MINI-TANK

The Lyut (Fury) is a wheeled remote-controlled mini-tank. Developed by Ukrainian defense companies in response to battlefield needs and launched in late 2022, it’s currently in the prototype stage.

Carrying a PKT 7.62mm machine gun and built on a full-wheel-drive chassis, the Lyut is a smart, agile weapon system with wheels that can withstand damage and armor that resists standard small arms fire.

The Lyut has communication range over 1 mile, weapon accuracy to half a mile, and can hold 550 rounds of ammunition. It faces challenges unique to remote-controlled weapons, like getting blocked by small obstacles and the threat of electronic jamming.

What it’s used for

The Lyut’s primary missions will include reconnaissance, target identification, and direct engagement with enemy forces.

2 - RUSSIA

1 thing to know

At the current rate of casualties, Russian losses are set to reach almost 800,000 by the year's end.

The context 

Despite continued, if slow, progress on the frontlines, total Russian losses are estimated to be around 750,000, after just over 1,000 days of war. In the last 24 hours alone, Russian forces lost approximately 1,800 troops killed or wounded.

If the current rate of casualties continues, then by the end of the year, Russian losses will approach 800,000 losses, making it the deadliest European conflict since World War II.

More from the region

Russia and North Korea have entered into and signed a strategic partnership to ensure "international strategic stability" and "fair world order" between the two countries. After the formal announcement of the agreement, military cooperation is expected to increase in the following months.

P.S. If you have a source, tip, or piece of information we missed, please reply to this email and tell us about it. Thank you!