" My
memory is not clear but I also thought there was also news in the first few weeks of Iraq War about Russian
special force involvement in Iraq. "
Yeah, There were reports posted on FR of Russian military advisors still in Iraq as we were advancing on Baghdad. Reported back then as retired military leadership...now they are presented as special forces. There also has been a report about the Russians aiding with nightvision stuff.
there was also some thought that these fleeing Russian diplomats had smuggled Saddam out - which was not true.
still, I have to believe that their are sat photos that show these convoys (russian or otherwise) taking stuff to Syria before the war. Al Douri is in Syria. why the US refuses to "out" Syria in this whole thing, I do not know, perhaps its because we aren't prepared to do anything about them.