Russian Su-30 jets landing at the Hmeymim Air Base. © SPUTNIK/ DMITRI VINOGRADOV
Sputnik: Not Coming Home: What Russian Hardware Stays in Syria After Pullout and Why
Nearly 20 Russian combat aircraft, an air defense system and some 2,000 personnel will stay at Hmeymim airbase in Syria. According to experts, the task force has several goals – fighting terrorism, supporting President Bashar Assad, and control over the region.
Earlier this week at a meeting with troops involved in the Syrian campaign Russian President Vladimir Putin said the number of combat sorties of the Russian Aerospace Forces had decreased from 60-80 to 20 a day.
The president also underscored that the rest of the task force will be capable of accomplishing the assigned tasks in the region.
A squadron of Su-24 tactical bombers, including 9-12 aircraft, will be kept on duty in Syria. During the main stage of the campaign, those aircraft were responsible for the bulk of the airstrikes.
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WNU Editor: No mention on the role that Russian Special Forces may play, nor the Russian presence at the naval base at Tartus. Bottom line .... the Russian military has withdrawn a bulk of it's forces, but they will still maintain a presence that quickly expand if the need arises.
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