russia is undertaking a significant withdrawal operation from Syria, mobilizing an extensive array of military transport and naval assets to evacuate personnel, equipment, and weapons.
A series of flights involving the An-124 Ruslan and Il-76MD aircraft has been scheduled from the Khmeimim Air Base. These flights are set to transport troops and materiel to airfields in Ulyanovsk, Chkalovsky, and Privolzhsky within russian territory.
Read more: Negotiate or Flee Empty-Handed: russia Physically Cannot Evacuate All Equipment From Syria
Simultaneously, naval preparations are underway to support the withdrawal. The Sparta II cargo ship and the Alexander Shabalin large landing ship are being readied for deployment from Baltiysk to Syrian port of Tartus. Additionally, the Northern Fleet’s Alexander Otrakovsky and Ivan Gren landing ships are en route to the Mediterranean, joined by the Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Golovko frigates.
In Tartus, emergency dismantling operations are ongoing as russian forces expedite the removal of military assets. Several hundred special forces personnel have arrived in the port city to oversee and secure the withdrawal.
Observers suggest that russia’s retreat is being facilitated through agreements with Syrian anti-government forces. Notably, Moscow has shifted its rhetoric, refraining from labeling opposition groups as “terrorists” and adopting a more neutral stance to ensure safe passage.
Read more: Interesting Weapons That Would Be Great to Retrieve From Syria
