Russia packing up military equipment at base in Syria

MOSCOW: Russia appears to be packing up military equipment at a military air base in Syria, according to satellite images released by Maxar following rebels’ overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad last weekend.

The images taken on Friday show what appear to be at least two Antonov AN-124s, one of the world’s largest cargo planes, with their nose cones open at the Hmeimim air base in Syria’s coastal Latakia province.

“Two An-124 heavy transport aircraft are at the airfield—both with their nose cones lifted and prepared to load equipment/cargo,” Maxar said.

“Nearby, a Ka-52 attack helicopter is being dismantled and likely prepared for transport while elements of an S-400 air defence unit are similarly preparing to depart from its previous deployment site at the air base.”

Russia’s naval base at Tartous, Russia’s only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, “remains largely unchanged since our Dec. 10 imagery coverage with two frigates continuing to be observed offshore of Tartous,” Maxar said.

Britain’s Channel 4 news reported that it had seen a convoy of more than 150 Russian military vehicles moving along a road. Channel 4 said the Russian military was moving in good order and that it appeared there had been a deal struck to allow the Russians to exit Syria in an orderly fashion.

Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Moscow has backed Syria since the early days of the Cold War, recognising its independence in 1944 as Damascus sought to throw off French colonial rule. The West long regarded Syria as a Soviet satellite.

The Kremlin has said its focus since Assad’s fall was to ensure the security of its military bases in Syria and of its diplomatic missions.

Oliver Alexander, an open-source analyst, said drone footage of the built-up area around the Khmeimim base showed how hard it would be for Russia to keep it operational, even if a deal was struck with rebels.

He also said that Russian forces were filmed packing up a radar kit that was vital for operating its S-400 air defence missiles.

Alexander said: “The Russian S-400 is definitely leaving. They have packed up their 91N6E radar and it was parked on the apron ready to be loaded on to an An-124.”

Dara Massicot, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank, said that it was clear that the Russian army was withdrawing at least part of its forces from Syria.