Moscow deploys nuclear bombers to strengthen Syria regime

Russia’s Defence Ministry announced that three Tu-22M3 bombers arrived at the Hmeimim Air Base in Syria on Tuesday, Associated Press (AP) reports.

As a result, Russia has the ability to operate long-range strategic nuclear-capable bombers from its air base in Syria, expanding its capabilities and allowing such planes to train in new regions.

The three bombers will hold training exercises over the Mediterranean Sea, the Defence Ministry said, before returning to their permanent airfields in Russia, AP reports.

The Hmeimim Air Base is located in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia and is “the main hub for Moscow’s operations in the country”.

In 2015, the Russian Federation formally entered the Syrian civil war as President Bashar Al-Assad’s rule was increasingly under threat.

READ: Turkey raises concern with Russia envoy over Syria violence