Russia flew a batch of advanced MiG-29 fighter jets to Syria, Moscow’s embassy in Damascus said, with Syrian pilots already using the planes to conduct missions within the country’s airspace. Russia prepares to battle Turkey in Syria.
President Vladimir Putin last week ordered Russia’s foreign and defense ministries to hold talks with its close ally, Syria, to obtain more facilities and maritime access there, in addition to the two military bases it has already.
Russia’s Embassy in Syria said on Twitter late on Wednesday that Russia earmarked the latest batch of planes for use by the Syrian military. In doing so, the move provides Putin with plausible deniability it is fighting Turkey directly.
The Russian embassy said:
Syrian Arab Army received the second batch of advanced MiG-29 fighter jets from #Russia – in the framework of military & technical cooperation between our countries. Syrian(s) already begin to carry out missions on those planes.
It shared a link to a May 30 report by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), which cited a Syrian military source as saying the fighters were more effective that their previous generation and would be used in Syrian airspace from June 1. In reality, Russian pilots could man these jets and their purpose is to battle Turkey in Syria. The way they are in Libya.
RUSSIA IS INCREASING ITS FOOTPRINT ACROSS MENA
The United States in late May accused Russia of deploying fighter aircraft via Syria to Libya. Their aim is to support Russian mercenaries fighting for the eastern-based forces of Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).
It said aircraft had arrived in Libya after being repainted to conceal their Russian origin in Syria. The U.S. added that the aircraft would likely provide close air support and offensive fire.
Reuters sent a request for comment to the Russian defense ministry last week. It did not respond.
Libya’s civil war has drawn in regional and global powers. Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt back the LNA. Turkey is supporting the internationally recognized government of national accord.
That government drove the LNA out of Libya’s capital, Tripoli, on Thursday, after a year-long assault.
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