Is Russia Reconfiguring Military Assets In Syria?

A number of Russian Mi-28NE and Ka-52 attack helicopters are reported to have landed in Syria on the day Moscow recalled more than half of the deployed fighters and bombers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced on 14 March that Russia would withdraw the ‘main’ part of its forces in Syria. The helicopters were deployed the very same day the fighters were recalled. These helicopters are capable of engaging in close air support missions with anti-tank/armor firepower and also to provide field reconnaissance.

Russia has not retrieved its Integrated Air Defense System (IADS), S-400 and naval units from Syria. The troop presence however has only seen a slight reduction.

The Russian military assets are there to stay as long as the Saudi warplanes are stationed at the Turkish-Syrian border.

“Their presence for now is crucial in view of the continuing Saudi buildup of warplanes in Turkey, close to the Syrian border. The initial Saudi deployment of four warplanes to the Turkish air base of Incirlik earlier this month, has been expanded to sixteen, while Saudi officials declare that Riyadh and Ankara are preparing to intervene jointly in the Syrian conflict,” Debkafile reported citing unnamed sources couple of days after Russia recalled part of its fighters and bombers.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov referred Sunday, March 14, to evidence of “a creeping expansion by Turkey in the sovereign nation of Syria.”

This was taken as a warning that Moscow would not tolerate any further Turkish encroachments in Syria, any more than it would accept Saudi air force intrusions of Syrian air space, the report said.

Russian Head of Main Operational Directorate of General Staff, Sergie Rudskoy said earlier today that Russia will engage its military force against truce violators in Syria if US does not respond to its proposals for monitoring cease-fire, Kommersant reported Monday.

Russia had sent a proposal on February 25 and again on March 5 which hasn’t been responded by the US.

"The Russian side expresses readiness for early finalization of the proposed document, including the adoption of the US delegation in Moscow to hold a meeting or in any suitable location for parties. In the absence of the US response to these proposals, the Russian Federation from 22 March to start unilateral implementation of the rules provided for by the Agreement,” Tass quoted Rudskoy as saying.

He emphasized that military force will be used only after receiving credible evidence of systematic violations of the truce. "In respect of units complying with the ceasefire, as well as the civilian population and civilian objects would not use military force," he said.

Putin had stated in his recent statements that if necessary. Russia will call back its troops in the region to a size proportionate to the situation developing and if needed will use the entire arsenal of capabilities at Moscow’s disposal.