Russia dismantles air defence system at Hmeimim air base in Syria

Russia appears to be dismantling the S-400 air defence system at Syria’s Hmeimim air base in Latakia Governorate, according to satellite images released by Maxar Intelligence and Space Systems following the overthrow of Bashar Al-Assad last week.

The images published on Tuesday showed Russian forces preparing to leave their military bases in Syria while images taken on Friday showed what appear to be at least two Antonov AN-124s, one of the world’s largest cargo aircraft, with nose cones open at the Hmeimim air base, Reuters has reported.

Russian movements have continued at the Hmeimim base since the fall of the Baath Party regime in Syria on 8 December.

“A Ka-52 attack helicopter is being dismantled and likely prepared for transport while elements of an S-400 air defence unit are similarly preparing to depart from its previous deployment site at the air base,” explained Maxar.

The images were used to monitor Russian fighter aircraft taking off from Hmeimim air base and flying over Hama and Idlib on Monday, before returning to the base without carrying out any attacks. On Tuesday, Russian helicopters were also seen above Idlib, Aleppo and Hama, coinciding with sorties over Idlib by aircraft belonging to the US-led international coalition forces.

Although Russian armed forces also appeared to withdraw from other areas in Syria, the Kremlin said on Monday that no final decision has been taken regarding the status of Russian military bases in the country.

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