Military pilots from Russia and Syria conducted their first joint air patrol over the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. The Russian Aerospace Forces were represented by Su-34, Su-35 fighters, and A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft; Mig-23 and Mig-29 participated from the Syrian side.
As specified, the Russians took off from the Khmeimim airbase, and the Syrian military, from the Seikal and Dumayr airfields in the vicinity of Damascus. In the process, the Russian military practised strikes on ground targets, while the Syrians were responsible for controlling the airspace and covering. In addition, the crews conducted training launches of missiles at air targets and hit ground targets at one of the landfills located in the central part of the country.
As RBC reminds, in November 2021, a representative of the Centre for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in Syria, Viktor Kudinov, said that the Russian military began patrolling the line of demarcation between the “Russian” zone of responsibility and the zone controlled by the international anti-terrorist coalition led by the US. He clarified that the sleeping cells of the “Islamic State” may be located in these territories.
Thus, such joint flights are expected to become regular, as Kudinov called the demonstration of the presence and readiness to help local residents the main task of the Russian military when patrolling.
Ru-Main, 24.01.2022
Source: RIA Novosti
