On March 22, Obretix, a defense observer on Twitter, shared new satellite images of the Russia’s Hmeimim airbase on the Syrian coast.
The new images, taken on the 11th of this month, reveal that the air base is currently hosting five Su-24, three Su-34 and five Su-35 warplanes as well as an A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C), a Tu-214R electronic intelligence (ELINT) plane, two IL-76, an An-124, two An-26 and an An-72 cargo planes.
at least 22 RuAF fighter/bomber jets at Hmeymim air base in Latakia on 11 March 2020: 5 Su-24, 3 Su-34, 5 Su-35 + 9 unknown parked in shelters. in addition to a Tu-214R [RF-64514], Tu-154 [RA-85041], An-124 [RA-82013], an A-50, 2 IL-76, 2 An-26 and an An-72 pic.twitter.com/6t7R2BS92a
— Samir (@obretix) March 21, 2020
The Tu-214R was deployed in Syrian last January to support military operations in Greater Idlib. However, the state of the art spy plane returned to Russia on March 22.
Russian Air Force TU-214R ELINT RF-64514 departed
Chkalovsky AB #Moscow, it seems TU-214R have already returned from Khmeimim Air Base #Syria pic.twitter.com/wxrOiq86iA— Manu Gómez (@GDarkconrad) March 22, 2020
Nine other unspecified warplanes were parked inside the bases’ hardened shelters. These shelters were built last year to address the threat of rocket and drone attacks.
Obretix’s photos also revealed that several BM-27 Uragan and BM-30 Smerch heavy multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) are currently deployed in Hmeimim Air Base.
some of the howitzers and BM-27/30 MLRS stored in this corner of the base previously https://t.co/yvfd3nHBoG were moved elsewhere just recently https://t.co/8RMBs2rXk3 pic.twitter.com/MWWkTnZ00q
— Samir (@obretix) March 21, 2020
The Russian aerial group deployed in Hmeimim Air Base provided the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) with effective air support during the recent operation in Greater Idlib. This support allowed the army to reopen the M5 highway linking Aleppo city with the capital, Damascus.
