The Washington Post: Russia has dismantled its equipment in Syria
The Washington Post reported, based on satellite images from Maxar, that Russia has begun dismantling its military equipment in Syria.
According to the Washington Post, Russia is dismantling its helicopters and S-400 air defense systems, and preparations are underway to move them out of Syria.
The Washington Post published a photo showing cargo planes at the Russian Hmeimim air base inside Syrian territory, ready to transport heavy equipment.
The photos show the helicopters being dismantled and prepared for shipment.
Among these aircraft, a Ka-52 attack helicopter was seen being dismantled, suggesting that it may soon be ready for transport.
In the same context, the Kremlin confirmed a few days ago that Russia is holding talks with the new authorities in Syria about the Russian military presence and diplomatic representation, after the fall of the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al Assad.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has previously stated that Moscow will remain in contact with the new leadership in Syria.
On this regard, several data revealed that Russia is transferring most of the equipment from Syria to Libya.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Russia is close to reaching an agreement with the new Syrian leadership to keep two vital military bases in Syria.
Talks are underway about keeping Russian forces at the seaport in Tartus and the air base at Hmeimim, said people familiar with the matter in Moscow, Europe and the Middle East, who asked not to be identified because the issue is sensitive.
Russia said that the Ministry of Defense in Moscow believes that it has reached an informal understanding with Hay’at Tahrir al Sham regarding the possibility of its remaining in the Syrian bases.
The source warned that the situation could change amid the instability in Syria.
The information couldn’t immediately be verified with officials in Syria’s transitional government, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment by Bloomberg.
