Unknown fighters appeared at the Russian base in Syria
DAMASCUS, (BM) – Six MiG-29 fighters of unknown affiliation at the Russian Khmeimim airbase in Syria, BulgarianMilitary.com has learned. The information comes from Russian media, which refers to recent satellite images of the region in Syria.
The photos show them lined up in a row of six fighters. According to the shape and size, Russian military experts claim that these are MiG-29 fighters. Our source from the Russian Ministry of Defense did not confirm but did not deny the information. Russia and its aerospace forces do not use MiG-29 fighters for their operations in Syria.
These may be fighters intended for the Syrian Arab Army. The problem is that only two of the six fighters are the colors of the Syrian army. So far, Syria has also not confirmed ownership of the two fighter jets painted in its colors. The other four fighters are gray colored. Military analysts say that the Russian-backed forces may have used these four fighters in military operations in Libya months ago.
Officially, the Russian military was not present during the hostilities in Libya. Unofficially, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s private army, Wagner, has been involved for several months in supporting the Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. In the middle of last year, we posted a video of a “Russian” MiG-29 crashing in the skies over Libya and a Russian-speaking pilot’s ejection.
Most likely, two of the fighters are for Bashar al-Assad
Russia’s Aviapro news agency reported on January 4th that the Syrian Arab Army had received additional new Russian MiG-29 fighters. However, Russian journalists do not know what the update of the Syrian army is about. In recent months, we remind you that Syria has received a significant amount of Russian MiG-29 fighters and two Su-24 strategic bombers.
Last year, we announced that Bashar al-Assad’s army had received six upgraded MiG-29s (May). In June of that year, Russia delivered the second batch of upgraded Syrian MiG-29 fighters. Some of them later took part in hostilities against the Turkish army and pro-Turkish soldiers throughout the country. That same year, the Syrian military lost one of its fighters near a military base in Poms. The pilot died. According to Russian journalists, the Syrian army expects to receive attacking Russian helicopters.
War in Syria
In February, Turkey lost at least 62 troops killed in Syria. Nearly 100 soldiers were wounded, Syrian-backed forces destroyed dozens of Turkish armored vehicles, and more than ten drones, including drones, were shot down. Washington has repeatedly accused Moscow of involvement in the deaths of Turkish soldiers, Russia rejects these allegations.
In early March, the presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed that a ceasefire came into force in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad later said that if the US and Turkish military did not leave the country, Damascus would use power.
The reason for the Russian-Turkish negotiations was a sharp aggravation of the situation in Idlib, where in January, a large-scale offensive by the Syrian army against the positions of the armed opposition and terrorists began.
Government forces recaptured nearly half of the Idlib de-escalation zone and left behind several Turkish observation posts. After that, Ankara sharply increased its military contingent in the region and launched the operation “Spring Shield” to push the Syrian troops. Militants are loyal to Ankara and support Turkey.
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