Russian Forces Begin Leaving Syria

The Guardian: First Russian planes leave Syria after order to pull out, Moscow says

Deputy defence minister says remaining Russian planes will continue to carry out missions

The morning after Vladimir Putin ordered the surprise withdrawal of Moscow’s military contingent in Syria, Russia’s defence ministry said a first group of planes had taken off for home from the Hmeymim airbase near Latakia.

Putin’s announcement that Russia’s objectives had been “generally accomplished” after five and a half months of bombing raids, came in a televised meeting on Monday evening with his defence and foreign ministers. He ordered the defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, to begin a withdrawal, and the foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, was told to work on intensifying diplomatic efforts to bring about peace.

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WNU Editor: I concur with this analysis .... Putin's order for some Russian forces to leave Syria was totally unexpected .... Russia's exit from Syria a move military analysts never saw coming (The Guardian).

More News On Russian Forces Beginning To Leave Syria

First group of Russian warplanes leaves Syria for Russia — defense ministry -- TASS
1st VIDEO of Russian jets taking off for home from Syria airbase -- RT
Russian warplanes start leaving Syria following Putin order -- AP
Russian warplanes start leaving Syria on Putin's orders -- RT
Putin Pulls Aerospace Forces Out of Syria, Having Achieving Strategic Goals -- Sputnik
Russian warplanes leave Syria, raising U.N. hopes for peace talks -- Reuters
Putin Orders the Start of Russian Troops' Pullout from Syria -- AP
Russian troops begin withdrawal from Syria -- France 24
Russia Says Forces Have Begun Drawdown In Syria -- RFE
Russia begins withdrawing forces from Syria -- CNN
Russian Warplanes Start Leaving Syria After Vladimir Putin's Surprise Announcement -- IBTimes
Russia begins withdrawal from Syria -- Al Jazeera
Russia starts military withdrawal from Syria as fighter jets prepare to return home -- The Independent
Russian Aviation in Syria Not Just Military Tasked, But Peace Tasked -- Sputnik
Syria conflict: Russia 'to continue air strikes' after withdrawal -- BBC
Russia to continue strikes on terrorist targets in Syria — defense official -- TASS
Russia to continue air strikes against Islamic State in Syria: RIA -- Reuters
Russian aircraft prepare to leave Syria for permanent deployment bases — defense ministry -- TASS
Putin orders ‘main part’ of Russian Army to start Syria pullout -- National Post/Bloomberg
Russia Withdraws Airgroup From Syria as Goal to Stop Daesh Reached -- Sputnik
Russian military in Syria to be protected by air defense systems — Kremlin chief of staff -- TASS
Russia to Leave Syria Cautiously, Alert for US Duplicity - Ex-US Diplomat -- Sputnik
9,000 sorties, 400 localities freed: What Russia has achieved during its 5-month Syria operation -- RT
Syria turning point: Russia withdraws to play the most of ‘diplomatic card’ -- RT
Kurdish Peshmerga to Miss Russian Air Support Against Daesh, Nusra Front -- Sputnik
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