Kremlin Says Two US F-35s ‘Came Dangerously Close’ To Two Su-35s Over Syria

EurAsian Times: BIG Encounter! US F-35, Russian Su-35 ‘Clash’ Over Syria; Moscow Says RuAF Pilots Averted Collision 

Moscow has claimed that two F-35 jets from the pro-American coalition came dangerously close to two Su-35 belonging to Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria on August 14, marking the latest episode in a series of confrontations between the US and Russian military aircraft. 

Deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Parties (CPVS) in Syria, Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit, alleged on August 15 that the incident occurred in the Al-Tanf area. Kulit highlighted that the Russian Su-35 fighter jets were conducting a prearranged flight along the southern border of Syria. 

“On August 14, from 12:35 to 12:50, in the Al-Tanf area at an altitude of about 9,100 meters, there was a dangerous rapprochement between two coalition F-35 fighters and two Su-35 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which were making a planned flight along the southern border of Syria. Russian pilots, demonstrating high professionalism, took the necessary measures promptly to prevent a collision with coalition fighters,” he said.  

Read more ....  

Update: Two US fighter jets fly dangerously close to Russian military aircraft in Syria (TASS)  

WNU Editor: The Russian military says one of the F-35s locked on one of the Su-35s. The Pentagon has yet to comment on this encounter.

Kremlin Claims US Drone Locked Weapons On Russian Fighter Jets Over Syria

Russian fighter jet strikes US drone over Syria for sixth time this month © Provided by Firstpost  

RT: US drone locked weapons on Russian jets – Moscow  

The Su-34 and Su-35 planes were forced to fire flares during a dangerous encounter over Syria, a senior military official said  

A US MQ-9 Reaper surveillance and attack drone flew “dangerously close” to a pair of Russian Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets in Syria on Wednesday, Moscow said. It was the second such incident in less than a week. 

According to Rear Admiral Oleg Gurinov, the deputy head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, the incident occurred shortly after 7:30 am local time over the northwestern Aleppo Province. He said the Russian planes automatically fired decoy flares after their radars showed that the Reaper had locked its weapons on them.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The US has a different point of view .... Russian fighter jet strikes another American drone over Syria in the sixth incident this month (AP).  

Update: The situation is escalating (see tweet below).

🇺🇸🇸🇾 Amid tensions with Russia and Iran in Syria and the region, US Central Command released documentation of the arrival of new F-35 fighter jets to boost activity in the Middle East pic.twitter.com/dtdEWyggVA

— Sinnaig (@Sinnaig_) July 26, 2023

Russian Fighter Jet Deliberately Damages US Military Drone Over Syria

⚡️The US Air Force Central Command reports that on July 23, in the skies over Syria, a Russian Su-35S fighter aircraft performed "unsafe maneuvers" near an MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and strike UAV. pic.twitter.com/sgo7mfXXJu

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) July 25, 2023

CNN: Russian fighter jet damages US military drone over Syria  

A Russian fighter jet flew “dangerously close” to a US drone over Syria and damaged it with flares, according to the US Air Force, in the latest in a series of incidents between the two militaries in the Middle East. 

On Sunday, Russian jets closed to within a few meters of a US MQ-9 Reaper drone that was taking part in an anti-ISIS mission over Syria. 

One of the jets began dropping flares in front of the US drone, severely damaging its propellor, the Air Force said. The drone’s crew was able to control the aircraft and fly it back to its home base. 

“The Russian fighter’s blatant disregard for flight safety detracts from our mission to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS,” said the commander of Air Force Central Command, Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The US has responded .... US Accuses Russia of ‘Reckless’ Action on Drone Over Syria (Bloomberg). 

This is not the first time Russia has interfered with a US drone. I think this is the fourth time in the past month where a drone incident between Russia and the US over Syria has occurred. 

As WNU mentioned last week, the Kremlin firmly believes the US is planning to attack Russian assets in Syria .... Military Tensions Rising Between The U.S. And Russia In Syria (July 18, 2023). 

Russian Fighter Jet Deliberately Damages US Military Drone Over Syria 

Russian jet damaged US drone with flares over Syria, US military says -- AP  

Video captures a Russian Su-35 fighter jet harassing and breaking a US Reaper drone by popping flares above it -- Business Insider  

Russian jet harasses armed U.S. drone over Syria for a third time this month -- NBC  

Russian fighter jet damages US Reaper drone with flare over Syria: Officials -- ABC News  

Russian fighter jet fires flares at US drone in Syria -- The Guardian  

US says Russian aircraft struck its drone with flare over Syria -- Al Jazeera 

US Reaper Drone "Severely Damaged" By Russian Jet Intercept Over Syria -- Zero Hedge

Military Tensions Rising Between The U.S. And Russia In Syria

Russian fighter flies dangerously close to US surveillance aircraft over Syria, officials say © Provided by The Hill  

IBTimes: Russian Su-35 Jet Endangers US Warplane In Tense Syria Encounter; Concerns Grow Over Escalating Aggression 

* The Russian fighter jet dangerously approached a U.S. surveillance aircraft over Syria 

* The incident marks a notable escalation in recent encounters between the U.S. and Russian aircraft in Syria 

* There have been several instances of Russian fighter jets harassing U.S. unmanned MQ-9 drones over the past few weeks

A Russian fighter jet dangerously approached a U.S. surveillance aircraft over Syria, causing it to experience wake turbulence and endangering the lives of the four American crew members onboard, U.S. officials said Monday.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Massive U.S. military and intelligence support for Ukraine is impacting other parts of the world. That is why Russia is now convinced that the US is planning an attack on Russian military assets in Syria .... US considering ‘military options’ against Russia in Syria – Pentagon (RT). 

 Military Tensions Rising Between The U.S. And Russia In Syria  

Russian fighter flies dangerously close to US surveillance aircraft over Syria, officials say -- The Hill  

Russian jet flies 'dangerously' close to US warplane -- AP  

Russian fighter jets buzz US warplanes over Syria endangering four American crew in 'new level of unsafe behaviour' as Moscow's aggression in the skies escalates after string of encounters -- Daily Mail  

Russian fighter jet buzzes manned US warplane over Syria, threatening crew -- FOX News  

Washington reports incident between Russian, US aircraft in skies over Syria -- TASS

Russian Stepping Up Airstrikes In Syria

 

BBC: Syria war: Nine killed as Russia air strike hits Idlib market 

The UN has expressed deep concern about an escalation of hostilities in north-western Syria after at least 11 people were reportedly killed in Russian air strikes on rebel-held Idlib province. 

Nine were killed when warplanes dropped bombs next to a market outside Jisr al-Shughour on Sunday, rescuers said. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported that it was the deadliest Russian attack this year. Another two people were killed in an air strike near Idlib city, it said. 

There was no immediate comment from the Russian military, whose air campaign in support of the Syrian government has been crucial in turning the tide of the 12-year civil war in its favour.  

Read more .... 

Russian Stepping Up Airstrikes In Syria 

Airstrike hits busy market in opposition-held northwestern Syria and kills at least 9 people -- AP  

Nine dead, dozens injured after Russian warplanes attack near Syrian market -- CNN  

Russian airstrikes kill at least 11 people in rebel-held Syria -- Times of Israel 

Russian airstrikes kill 9 civilians in Syria's Idlib -- Middle East Monitor  

Russia said to step up Syria airstrikes, disputes crisis at home -- Jerusalem Post

Armed Russian Fighter Jets Have Been Circling A Major US Base In Syria Nearly Every Day For The Past Month

 

NBC News: Armed Russian jets have flown over a U.S. base in Syria nearly every day in March, U.S. commander says  

Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich told NBC News that Russian jets have violated the airspace of At Tanf Garrison roughly 25 times this month, including Wednesday. 

Armed Russian jets have flown over a U.S. military garrison in Syria nearly every day in March, violating a 4-year-old agreement between the U.S. and Russia and risking escalation, according to the U.S. general in charge of air operations in the region. 

 Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, combined forces air component commander for U.S. Central Command, told NBC News on Wednesday that the most recent Russian overflight of At Tanf Garrison (ATG) happened just a few hours earlier, and that Russian jets have violated the airspace roughly 25 times so far this month, compared to zero times in February and 14 in January.

“It is a substantial increase,” he said, explaining that at this rate they are “on track to be double what it has been in the past.”  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Russian fighter jets are circling a US airbase in Syria a week after a fiery confrontation between Russian jets and a US drone over the Black Sea: report (Insider) 

Update #2: US has seen ‘significant spike’ in aggressive Russian military flights in Syria this month, commander says (CNN)  

WNU Editor: The US is saying that Russia is violating a 2019 agreement to keep each other away from their airbases in Syria. .... US Commander: Russia Is Ignoring Syria Protocols (Newser). But in view of what is happening right now between the two countries, no one should be surprised that the old agreements and understandings between the two countries are being ignored.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Meets Russian President Putin In Moscow

 

NBC/Reuters: Putin meets Assad, takes swipe at U.S. and Turkish forces in Syria  

Russia's air force played a critical role in turning the tide of the Syrian conflict in Assad's favor after it deployed there in 2015, helping him recover most territory lost to insurgents. 

MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin received Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in Moscow for the first time since 2015 on Monday and criticized foreign forces that are in Syria without a U.N. mandate, the Kremlin said, in a rebuke of the United States and Turkey. 

Assad's most powerful ally in the decade-long Syrian conflict, Putin last received the Syrian leader in Russia in 2018 at his summer residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. 

Russia's air force played a critical role in turning the tide of the Syrian conflict in Assad's favor after it deployed there in 2015, helping him recover most territory lost to insurgents.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Ukraine war and aid are on the agenda. But the impending Assad - Erdogan summit that Moscow is trying to broker will be on top of the agenda .... Al-Assad’s visit to Moscow: A drive for normalization with Ankara; concessions to get aid (Enab Baladi).  

Update: I guess they had a lot to discuss .... Putin, Assad complete talks that lasted three hours — Kremlin (TASS).

 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Meets Russian President Putin In Moscow 

Putin hosts Assad, expected to focus on rebuilding Syria -- AP  

Putin hails Assad ties at talks with Turkiye mend brewing -- Arab News/AFP 

China, Russia and Iran will stage joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman this week, Beijing announces -- Daily Mail  

Putin Meets Assad as Russia Pushes for Syria-Turkey Accord -- Bloomberg 

Syria's Assad offers Putin support in Ukraine conflict -- TRT

Turkey's Foreign Minister Says Erdogan, Putin, And Assad Will Meet After January 2023

A meeting between the Turkish, Syrian, and Russian leaders has been scheduled, but not for January, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.  

Sputnik: Turkish Foreign Minister Says Erdogan, Putin, Assad to Meet After January 2023 

ISTANBUL (Sputnik) - A meeting between the Turkish, Syrian and Russian leaders has been scheduled, but not for January, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday. 

On December 15, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he had offered to Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold a meeting between the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Syria, which will be preceded by a meeting of the heads of the intelligence services, defense and foreign ministries. 

On December 28, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the defense ministers of Russia, Syria and Turkey held trilateral talks in Moscow to discuss ways to resolve the Syrian crisis.  

Read more ....  

Update: Erdogan, Putin, Assad to meet after January 2023 (MEHR News Agency)  

WNU Editor: No official word yet from Moscow or Damascus.

Turkey's Erdogan Wants A Summit With Assad And Putin. Will This Be The End Of The Syrian Civil War?

The two leaders have held frequent discussions over the years [File: Turkish presidential press/Handout via AFP] 

Al-Monitor: Turkey's Erdogan seeking a meeting with Assad and Putin 

In a reversal, Erdogan wants Russia to set-up a three-way meeting with Bashar Al-Assad, ten years after Ankara calling for his removal from power 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that his country was seeking three-way meetings between Ankara, Moscow and Damascus, a fresh addition to Turkey’s efforts to restore its ties with the Syrian government of Bashar Al-Assad, ten years after relations broke off between them. 

“We want to take a tripartite step as Syria-Turkey-Russia,” Erdogan told reporters during his return from Turkmenistan, adding that the three countries' defense and foreign ministers could come together first.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Syrian President Assad said no to such a meeting two weeks ago .... Assad rejects Russia attempt to arrange meeting with Erdogan, sources say (Middle East Monitor). But Russia wants this meeting, and I would not be surprised if this meeting does take place. 

If this summit happens, it will be the beginning of the end for this long and horrible war. 

The US response to these possible talks has been a reinforcement of their military presence in north-eastern Syria. 

 Turkey's Erdogan Wants A Summit With Assad And Putin  

Turkey Seeks a Trilateral Mechanism With Russia, Syria -Erdogan -- Reuters 

Erdogan Seeks to Hold a Summit with Putin, Assad -- Asharq Al-Awsat  

Erdoğan's quest for trilateral Syria diplomacy -- Daily Sabah

Putin, Erdogan and Iran’s Raisi Meet In Tehran -- News Roundup

Vladimir Putin met Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi (centre), and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (left), in Tehran. Photograph: Mustafa Kamaci/Turkish presidential press service/AFP  

The Guardian: Putin endorsed by Iran for invasion of Ukraine but clashes with Turkey at summit  

Tehran meeting saw discord over Erdoğan’s plan to intervene in Syria but ‘progress’ on shipping Ukrainian grain  

Vladimir Putin ended his first major summit outside Russia since the invasion of Ukraine with an endorsement from Iran for its response to Nato, a clash with Turkey over Syria and signs of progress over the lifting of the Russian blockade of Ukrainian grain. 

The White House said the Tehran summit held between Putin, the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, showed how isolated the Russian leader had become – which was not an observation shared by Moscow, who claimed it showed Russia remained respected in the Middle East. 

Read more .... 

Putin, Erdogan and Iran’s Raisi Meet In Tehran -- News Roundup 

Putin, in Tehran, gets strong support from Iran over Ukraine -- AP  

Putin forges ties with Iran's supreme leader in Tehran talks -- Reuters 

 Iran's Supreme Leader backs an 'independent and strong' Russia in support of Ukraine invasion -- ABC News Australia 

Putin on visit to Tehran gets Iran's backing for war in Ukraine -- Axios 

Putin, Erdogan and Iran’s Raisi pledge cooperation against ‘terrorists’ in Syria -- France 24  

Turkey’s Erdogan renews case for Syria operation at Tehran talks -- Al Jazeera  

Russian President Putin in Iran for trilateral talks -- DW  

Vladimir Putin hobbles down the red carpet with his arm hanging limp as he steps off the plane in Iran to forge new anti-West alliance -- Daily Mail  

Ukraine war: Putin visits Iran in rare international trip -- BBC  

Putin arrives in Iran for first trip outside former Soviet Union since his invasion of Ukraine -- CNN  

Erdogan, Putin note progress in grain exports talks -- RT  

Humanitarian aid to Syria and war on terror — results of Tehran Summit -- TASS

Tensions Between The U.S. And Russia Have Almost Spilled Over Into Direct Fighting In Syria

U.S. soldiers stand along a road across from Russian military armored personnel carriers (APCs), near the village of Tannuriyah in the countryside east of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province, May 2, 2020. (AFP Photo)  

Task & Purpose: Russia keeps having close calls with American forces in Syria  

CENTCOM politely said that Russian forces are being "provocative."  

Tensions between the United States and Russia almost spilled over into direct fighting in Syria. The Wall Street Journal reported this past week of a Russian airstrike on an American military base in Syria. No American forces were wounded or killed at the al-Tanf garrison, as they were not on site, and Russia warned the U.S. in advance, saying it was targeting forces opposed to Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. It was one of several close calls in June. 

Al-Tanf, a U.S. outpost set up in southeastern Syria near Jordan. American troops have been using it as a base of operations for counterterrorism and training local allied Kurdish forces to fight remnants of ISIS. Just under 1,000 soldiers are in Syria. The exact number of troops at al-Tanf isn’t known, but reports put it at around 150-200, with the majority of Americans there being part of special operations forces.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: At least the Russians called the US to tell them that they were going to launch an air strike. But all that it takes is one small mistake and/or miscommunication .... and before we know it US and Russian military forces are fighting against each other. 

Tensions Between The U.S. And Russia Have Almost Spilled Over Into Direct Fighting In Syria  

Moscow’s provocations in Syria risk conflict with US, military officials warn -- Al Arabiya  

Russia Conducted ‘Series of Operations’ in Syria Against US Occupation Forces, US Media Claim -- Sputnik  

Russia warned US it was going to conduct airstrikes on fighters in Syria -- CNN

Russian And Syrian Fighters Conduct A Joint Patrol Along Syria’s Border With Israel

Syrian Arab Air Force and Russian Air Force on air patrols over the ceasefire line in the Golan, the southern and northern borders and along the Euphrates River. https://t.co/I6BPCn8AP9 pic.twitter.com/jcCVbEpjwa

— SAM 🇸🇾 (@SAMSyria0) January 24, 2022

Warzone/The Drive: Russian And Syrian Fighters Fly Unprecedented Joint Patrol Along Syria’s Border With Israel  

The start of a planned new series of joint air operations between Russia and Syria offers a significant boost to the Syrian Air Force. 

Russian and Syrian warplanes conducted joint patrols along Syria’s borders today, launching what the Russian Ministry of Defense says will be a regular series of flights. Syrian fighter jets joined Russian fighters, strike aircraft, and radar planes, on a mission that took them partly on a provocative course that included skirting the Golan Heights, in what seems to have been a very deliberate signal to Israel, which occupies this strategically important region. 

The first joint air patrol mission of this kind to have been announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense involved Syrian Air Force MiG-23 Flogger and MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jets, together with Russian Aerospace Forces Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft and Su-35 Flanker multirole fighters and A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The much-depleted Syrian MiG-23 fleet, in particular, is only rarely seen in action, after years of action in the country’s ongoing civil war, while the Syrian MiG-29s, despite their appearance, have been modestly upgraded and have seen more use of late. The Russian types have all been deployed to Syria regularly since September 2015.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Israelis are surprised by this joint patrol .... Israel said holding talks with Russia over Syria standoff, may limit air campaign (Times of Israel). 

Russian And Syrian Fighters Conduct A Joint Patrol Along Syria’s Border With Israel  

Russian, Syrian pilots conduct joint air patrol mission along Golan Heights -- TASS  

Russian, Syrian jets launch joint patrols over Syria's borders -- Middle East Monitor  

Russia said conducting joint patrols of Syrian border airspace, including over Golan -- Times of Israel  

Syria, Russia start joint air force patrols over Syrian territory -- Reuters

'Joint Russian-Syrian air force patrol was message to Israel' -- Israel Hayom  

Will joint Russian-Syrian air patrols make Israel’s airstrikes harder? - analysis -- Jerusalem Post

Does Russia Turn A Blind Eye When Israel Bombs Syria?

Flames rise from containers after a missile attack at the seaport of the coastal city of Latakia, Syria, December 28, 2021. (SANA/ AP)  

Arab Weekly: When Israel bombs Syria, Russia turns a blind eye  

The Kremlin is not willing to harm its relations with Israel for the sake of its alliance with Syria and a potential strategic partnership with Iran. 

Russia has deployed its most advanced S-400 air defence system to Syria, but the sophisticated weapon does not seem to work against Israeli jets. 

It is an open secret that Moscow, an ally of Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad, allows Israel to conduct air strikes against both the Syrian army and Iranian militias operating in the country. 

Russia’s supremacy over Syria’s airspace helped turn the conflict in Al Assad’s favour, so why does it allow Israel to carry out its operations unimpeded?  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Today's Russia will not block or interfere what Israel does. There are over 1.5 million Russian Jews in Israel with close ties to family and friends in Russia. Even Putin has connections .... When Putin met his Jewish German teacher in Israel (Times of Israel).

Russian Su-35 Fighters Have Been Spotted At A Northeastern Syria Airbase

Quick geo-location proposal. Main apron at al-Qamishli airport

37.023974°, 41.201925° https://t.co/Jf96gZVtLH pic.twitter.com/zyUxZhwnpN

— tom (@tom_bullock_) October 27, 2021

Warzone/The Drive: Russian Su-35 Fighters Appear For The First Time At Northeastern Syria Airbase: Reports 

Reports suggest four of the Flanker fighters have arrived at the airbase that sits on the Turkish border, close to U.S. forces. 

At least one Su-35S Flanker fighter jet has apparently made the first visit by a Russian combat jet to Qamishli Airport, in northeastern Syria, a strategically important location close to U.S. forces still in the country that lies right on the border with Turkey. Unconfirmed reports suggest this could be part of a larger deployment of as many as four of these jets to the base, which may reflect Moscow’s ambition to strengthen its presence in this part of Syria. 

The undated photo, seen at the top of this story and in the Tweet below, purportedly shows a Russian Aerospace Forces Su-35S, coded ‘07 Red,’ at Qamishli Airport in Syria’s Al-Hasakah governorate. It emerged yesterday and geolocation based on open-source imagery has indicated that the location where it was reportedly taken is at least accurate.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It looks like the Russian - Syrian coalition are preparing for another offensve, and these warplanes have been positioned to assist.

A Close Look At Tartus, Russia’s Naval Base In Syria (Video)

Russia Says Israel Used 2 Civilian Airliners As A Cover When Carrying Out A Missile Strike On Strike On October 13

In this photo taken from a video provided on May 25, 2021, by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, crew members leave a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber upon its landing at Hemeimeem air base in Syria. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)  

Times of Israel: Russia says Israel used 2 civilian airliners as cover to carry out Syria strike 

Opposition-linked Syrian war monitor claims 9 killed in alleged strike that targeted several Iranian positions, including a communication tower, near T4 airbase east of Palmyra 

A Russian general on Thursday said that Syrian air defenses did not engage Israeli jets that reportedly carried out a strike in central Syria because there were two civilian airliners in the air at the time. 

A Britain-based war monitor said the alleged Israeli airstrike in central Syria killed nine pro-government fighters, four of them Syrians and five of undetermined nationality. 

Syrian Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit told the Sputnik news site that the strike was carried out by four Israeli F-16 jets.  

Read more ....  

Update: Syria used no air defense at Israel's F-16s due to 2 civilian planes nearby: Russia (ANI/Sputnik)  

WNU Editor: More details on Israel's Oct. 13 missile strike are here .... Israeli F-16s attacked target in Syria’s Homs on October 13 — Russian Defense Ministry (TASS).

Russian President Putin Condemns Presence Of U.S. And Turkish Troops In Syria

 

RT: Western armies 'illegal' presence in Syria undermining hopes for peace in region, Putin says in surprise Moscow meeting with Assad 

An illegal occupation by Western troops is hampering the consolidation of Syria despite it being mostly freed from terrorists, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad. 

The surprise exchange took place at the Kremlin on Monday, but the visit was only publicly revealed on Tuesday morning. 

It was the Syrian leader's first foreign trip since 2019, when he travelled to Iran.  

Read more .... 

More News On Russian President Putin Condemning The Presence Of U.S. And Turkish Troops In Syria  

Russia's Putin slams presence of foreign troops in Syria -- AP  

Putin meets Assad, condemns US and Turkish troops in Syria -- France 24  

Putin meets Assad, takes swipe at US and Turkish forces in Syria -- Reuters  

Putin refers to persisting presence of foreign troops in Syria as problem -- TASS  

Putin, Assad Meet For First Time In Over A Year -- RFE  

Putin Hosts Assad in Moscow, Tells Other Forces to Leave Syria -- Bloomberg  

Vladimir Putin and Syria's President Assad meet in Moscow for first time since 2015 -- SKY News  

Putin and Syria’s al-Assad hold talks in Moscow on rebel areas -- Al Jazeera

Russia Deploys Tupolev Tu-22 Bombers To Syria's Hmeimim Air Base For The First Time

 

Al-Monitor: Russia reveals deployment of nuclear-capable bombers to Syria airbase 

Moscow has reportedly landed Tupolev Tu-22 bombers at Syria's Hmeimim Air Base for the first time. 

Russia has based nuclear-capable bomber aircraft on the Mediterranean for the first time, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said Tuesday. 

Three Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range bombers were sent to Russia’s Hmeimim Air Base in western Syria after improvements were made to runways at the site. 

The aircraft will participate in training exercises over the eastern Mediterranean before returning to Russia, the ministry said. 

If confirmed, the deployment would demonstrate an extension of Russia’s aircraft-based nuclear strike range well into the Middle East and Mediterranean region. 

Moscow has flown Tu-22s in combat missions in Syria before, but they were not based in the country.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: That is the plan .... Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire Bombers Based In Syria Are Going To Patrol The Mediterranean (Warzone/Drive) 

More News On Russia Deploying Tupolev Tu-22 Bombers To Syria's Hmeimim Air Base  

Russia deploys nuclear-capable bombers to Syria for training -- AP  

Russian Tu-22M3 bombers perform flights over Mediterranean from Hmeymim airbase -- TASS  

Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bombers land in Syria for first time as country's air force begins training over Mediterranean Sea -- RT

Russia Says 112 Russian Soldiers Have Been Killed In Syria Since The Beginning Of The Conflict

A Russian soldier on the advance near Aleppo, Syria, in November 2018. Besides Russian troops, mercenaries allegedly backed by the Kremlin are active in the war-torn country. Photo: AFP / Bekir Kasim / Anadolu Agency 

AMN News: Russia reveals the number of soldiers killed in Syria 

BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 P.M.) – The First Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee of the State Duma, Andrei Krasov, announced that 112 Russian soldiers were killed during the armed conflict in Syria. 

The deputy’s statements came during a meeting with the State Duma Committee for Health Affairs, during which he said: “According to recent military data provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense, about 112 soldiers have been killed in Syria since the beginning of the armed conflict. 

Read more .... 

Update: Russia Reveals Total Number Of Soldiers Killed In Syria, Blasts "Morally Bankrupt" US Policies (Zero Hedge) 

WNU Editor: Russian social media says the true number is closer to 300. This number also does not include how many Russian contractors have been killed, and they are the ones who are doing a lot of the fighting .... Russia’s shadowy mercenaries forced into spotlight (Asia Times).

Russian Airstrikes Kills 78 Turkey-Backed Fighters in Syria

Syrians take part in the funeral of soldiers of the Faylaq al-Sham opposition faction in Syria, in the northwestern city of Idlib, on October 26, 2020, following their death in a Russian air strike. (AFP Photo) 

France 24: Russian air strikes kill dozens of Turkish-backed rebels in Syria, monitor says 

Air strikes by Damascus regime ally Russia killed 78 Turkey-backed rebels in northwestern Syria on Monday, a monitor said, in the bloodiest surge in violence since a truce almost eight months ago. 

More than 90 others were wounded when Russian warplanes targeted a training camp of the Faylaq al-Sham faction in the Jabal Duwayli area in Idlib province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. 

In early March, a truce brokered between Moscow and Ankara stemmed a deadly months-long Russia-backed regime military offensive on the country's last major rebel stronghold in Idlib. 

Read more .... 

 More News On Russian Airstrikes Killing 78 Turkey-Backed Fighters in Syria 

Syria war: 'Russian air strikes kill dozens' in Idlib -- BBC 

Air strikes on Syrian rebel camp kill at least 35 people - sources -- Reuters 

Russia Vows 'Solidarity' with Syria, Conducts One of War's Deadliest Strikes -- Newsweek 

Air raids in northwest Syria camp kill dozens of rebel fighters -- Al Jazeera 

Russian strikes kill at least 78 in opposition's training camp in Syria’s Idlib -- Daily Sabah 

Airstrike in Syria’s Idlib Province Reportedly Kills Over 40 Militants -- Sputnik