Russia sends more bombers to Syria
Russia has sent a group of Su-24 and Su-34 bombers to its Hmeymim base in Syria and is preparing to send a group of Su-25 ground attack aircraft in an effort to intensify its support for the Syrian government after the ceasefire plan broke down, Izvestia reported, citing an unnamed Russian military official.
“Extra Su-24 and Su-34 bombers and Su-25s are still in reserve on Russian territory. If necessary, the group [in Syria] can be strengthened in 2-3 days. Su-25 ground attack aircraft, designated to be sent to Hmeymim, have already been selected in their units and their crews are on a stand-by, awaiting orders from their commanders,” the official told Izvestia.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has not commented on the situation.
According to the Chairman of Russia’s Foreign and Defense Policy Council, Fyodor Lukyanov, the move is a direct result of the failed ceasefire.
Lukyanov stated that, “Unfortunately, the peacekeeping efforts have stalled, as government forces are not capable of achieving a breakthrough in the war on their own, and we have to go back to the same levels of our intervention that we had until March of this year,” when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the withdrawal of the majority of Russian forces from Syria.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said there is no point in pursuing further cooperation with Russia over Syria. At the same time, the Obama administration has begun to consider potential military responses to the Syrian government’s assault on Aleppo.