The Assad regime, which had been in existence for 61 years in Syria, was overthrown as the opposition captured cities in Syria one by one. The overthrow of Assad also raised the question of whether Russia would withdraw from the region. The incoming satellite images can provide information about Russia’s move.
RUSSIAN BASES IN SYRIA
Russia, Bashar Assad’s biggest supporter, has Hmeymim Air Base and Tartus Naval Base in Syria.
With the overthrow of the Assad regime and Bashar Assad’s escape to Russia, the attitude of the Moscow administration regarding these bases was a matter of curiosity.
American technology company Maxar published satellite photos from the air base.
EQUIPMENT WAS LOADED ON PLANES
In those photographs, it was seen that the equipment at the air base was dismantled and placed on the An-124 type cargo plane.
Another satellite photo showed a Ka-52 type helicopter and an S-400 air defense system waiting to be dismantled.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HMEYMİM AIR BASE
Russia used this base, 25 kilometers from Latakia Port, to support the Damascus administration in the civil war.
It is not clear whether Russia will leave Syria completely.
However, Hmeymim is critical to Russia’s presence in the Middle East and Africa.
A 49-year lease agreement was signed for the base in 2017.
TARTUS NAVAL BASE
The Russian Naval Base in Tartus also supports ships in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to Dara Massicot, a researcher at an American think tank, it is clear that a gradual withdrawal has begun.
However, it is not known whether Moscow will completely withdraw from Syria.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stated on Thursday that the presence of the bases in Syrian territory continues.
Recently, images were published of the warships at the Tartus Naval Base, Russia’s only naval base outside its own territory, leaving the port one by one.
WHAT ARE THE RUSSIAN SHIPS AT TARTUS NAVAL BASE?
According to Naval News, the base was home to two Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates, an Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate, and an improved Kilo-class attack boat.
“THE MOST MODERN SHIP IN THE FLEET”
The frigates Gorshkov and Grigorovich are the most modern surface ships in the Russian fleet. Both can deploy the long-range Kalibir land attack missile and the Tsirkon hypersonic anti-ship missile.
RUSSIA’S MILITARY PRESENCE IN SYRIA
The Russian army has been officially in Syria since the military aid agreement signed in 2015.
Russian forces have since supported the regime in the fight against ISIS, anti-regime forces and other armed groups trying to seize power.
In addition to large-scale arms supplies to the regime army, Moscow periodically sent tens of thousands of soldiers to Syria in 2015.
According to experts, today there are five to ten thousand Russian soldiers in the country, including flight and technical personnel of the Russian Air Force and crews of warships in Tartus.
Source: NTV