Syria’s barrel bomb experts in Russia to help with potential Ukraine campaign

Debris of buildings are seen after the Syrian army hit a residential area with barrel bombs in the opposition-controlled Sukeri neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria in 2016. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Technicians linked to the Syrian military’s infamous barrel bombs that have wreaked devastation across much of the country have been deployed to Russia to help potentially prepare for a similar campaign in the Ukraine war, European officials believe.

Intelligence officers say more than 50 specialists, all with vast experience in making and delivering the crude explosive, have been in Russia for several weeks working alongside officials from Vladimir Putin’s military.