Without any proof, I’ve been quite sure both Spetznaz and mercenaries have been very involved in Syria since the Russians entered the fray, months ago.
Russia is no less able to play the wests: no boots on the ground game.
I am a USAian, love USA, support USA military, but USA is headed for a great big fall...
All her enemies are just waiting to hit, at the same time; externally and internally. There are so many USAians who continue to image that USA is invincible; they will be the last to know... the very last.
I have the vain hope that in places like Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore, St. Louis, Oakland, Los Angeles, New Orleans, etc., our native warriors will stop killing each other and start on the muslim killers among us...
It's just a matter of time.
The muslim concept of "assimilation" is embrace sharia law or die.
The only rational response, should we continue to tolerate them, is "assimilate or ... whatever.
Islam is its own worse enemy and if they can't embrace the 21st Century, then others, if host countries continue to invite them in, must do it for them. Or die.
It's not rocket science.