Russian special operations footage out of Syria shows two nighttime ambushes on Islamic State (or possibly HTS) dismounted patrols, filmed through thermal optics.

The first clip ends with a massive blast, likely one of the wounded insurgent fighters detonating his suicide belt. Aftermath footage following the second ambush clip shows a Russian operative neutralizing a slain terrorist's explosive vest by cutting the command wires.

Prior to September 2015, Russian involvement in Syria was limited to the supply of weapons and equipment. Once Russia deployed special operations troops and air power for the Syrian regime, the SAA began taking serious ground from opposition groups. However, the toll of civilian casualties has been astronomical.