Russia said on Wednesday that it strongly backs the actions of the Syrian leadership to counter an offensive by what it said were terrorist groups receiving support, including drones and training, from outside the country.

Russia claimed on Wednesday that the Syrian rebels received help "from the outside," including training and material support in drones. Moscow said it identified traces of Ukrainian involvement, but did not provide evidence for this.

In just a few days, a patchwork of rebel forces has seized control of a broad stretch of land in the west and northwest of Syria. But it’s unclear just how much support Syria’s weakened allies can provide.