Russian troop movements signal strategic shift in Syria
In recent days, technology companies and war bloggers have been observing the nervous movements of Russian troops stationed in Syria. According to numerous reports, Russia is withdrawing generals and heavy equipment from the country, where a rebellion and overthrow of the dictator took place last week, but does not plan to completely vacate military bases.
Russian forces have left posts in northern Syria and the Latakia mountains, but they do not intend to fully evacuate their military bases. This information was reported by Reuters, citing several sources. Russia is withdrawing its contingent from advanced posts and evacuating heavy equipment and high-ranking officers of Assad's army.
According to the independent Russian investigative portal Important Stories, based on the analysis of satellite images, taken by Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs, two large An-124 transport aircraft, three other Ilyushin Il-76 transport planes, as well as smaller transport aircraft – three An-32s and one An-72 – arrived at the Khmeimim base.
The American newspaper "The Washington Post" also analyzed these images. It reports that the planes have their hatches open, which may suggest that they are ready to be loaded or are currently being loaded.
Russian troops in Syria. Are they preparing for evacuation?
The images also show that Russian military personnel are dismantling a Ka-52 attack helicopter. According to Maxar analysts, this may indicate that they are preparing it for transport.
A source in the Syrian special services reports that most likely, one transport plane flew from the Khmeimim airbase to Libya on Saturday. The day before, Maxar analysts noticed nine transport planes at the Khmeimim airport, including two of the largest in the world, the An-124. Experts speculate that a Ka-52 helicopter and the S-400 missile system are being prepared for loading.
Bloggers are publishing videos depicting Russian military columns heading towards the Khmeimim airbase. In particular, "Military Informer" shared a video where a passerby asks a Russian soldier where they are heading. He replied that they are going to Russia.
There is also another video showing Syrians watching the departing Russians and waving their shoes in their direction, which in Arab culture is considered the greatest insult and expression of contempt.
