Russia withdraws from Syria more than half of the fighters and bombers, and leaves air defense systems and naval force in the Mediterranean Sea, according to Russian military experts. Despite the withdrawal of the principal troops, armed forces of Russia for now continue bombing the positions of the terrorist organization „Islamic State“
Originally appeared at ruskarec, translated by A. Đurić exclusively for SouthFront
Armed forces of Russian Federation began with the withdrawal of troops from Syria. According to military analysts, the contingent of Russian aerospace troops in the region will be significantly reduced, but the operation against members of the “Islamic State” and “Al Nusra” continues.
“The number of sorties was significantly reduced and they are carried out mostly at night. Truce in Syria does not apply to groups which Russia and the international coalition led by the United States treated as a terrorist. Russian Armed Forces continue with selective bombing of the positions of “Islamic state”, for Russian word said Viktor Murahovski, chief editor of the Arsenal of the Fatherland and a member of the Expert Council of the military-industrial commission of Russian Federation.
What do we withdraw?
In the morning of March 15, the first group of Russian fighters and bombers took off from Syria to their permanent bases, that was said in a statement on the website of the Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation. Planes fly in groups headed by military transport planes Tu-154 and Il-76, which returned to Russia engineers, technicians, material and technical resources.
In such formation pilots are coming to the border of the Russian Federation, after which they differ and independently flights to the airport whit their ongoing aviation bases.
“In Syria, there were a total of 60 fighters and bombers. And half shall be withdrawn, maybe two-thirds. The number of our soldiers in Syria will not be much reduced, because it is necessary to secure a base where the troops of Russian Federation are deployed, i.e. the airport Khomeini and the port of Tartus”, said Murahovski.
What is left?
According to Marahovski, helicopters squad will remain in full force to perform rescue and tactical operations in Syria. Russia also leaves military advisers to help the Syrian leadership in the fight against members of the “Islamic state”.
“Russia in full force leaves his anti-air defense systems in Syria: rocket systems “S-400”, “Buk-M3”, “Tor-M2” and “Pantsir-1”. Also, in the eastern part of the continue to operate ships of the Navy of the Russian Federation continue to operate, and will regularly rotate“, said colonel in the reserves and military commentator Viktor Litovkin of TASS agency.
In his words, the Navy has the task to control and observe the operation of the members of the “Islamic state”, and navy ships of NATO arriving in the Black Sea with cruise missiles SM-3 and Tomahawk.
Moscow initiates peace process and acts the same as the United States in Afghanistan, i.e. it is leaving their strongholds, and their means of defense. Withdrawal of “combat” part of Russian troops is signal to President Assad that Russia will not forever resolve the Syrian problems on the international political scene, and that the current Syrian government is now fully ready for independent political moves”, as said by chief editor of Russia in global politics, Fyodor Lukyanov.
