The Russian military has deployed warplanes and helicopters in the military section of the Deir Ezzor Airport in Syria’s eastern region.
On June 20, Obretix, a Twitter defense blogger, released new satellite images of the airport showing at least two Su-24 combat aircraft, two Mi-17 and two Mi-35 helicopters. Furthermore, the images revealed that the Syrian Arab Air Force had deployed four Su-22 fighter-bombers in the airport.
RuAF with two Su-24, two pairs of Mil Mi-8 and Mi-35 helicopters and 4 SyAAF Su-22 at Deir Ezzor Air Base today https://t.co/xSU3nvZsrA pic.twitter.com/0OtEVPKnpy
— Samir (@obretix) June 20, 2020
The Russian and Syrian warplanes were likely deployed in Deir Ezzor to support operations against ISIS remnants in the central region. Heavy airstrikes targeted the terrorist group’s personnel, equipment and hideouts between Homs, Raqqa and Hama in the last few weeks.
The helicopters, however, are supporting the Russian Military Police, which are overseeing a Russian-Turkish ceasefire agreement in northeast Syria.
While Russian forces in Syria are thought to be mainly based at the Hmeimim Air Base in Lattakia, a great part of these forces move around the country as the situation dictates. Russia is now working to establish more bases in Syria.
