This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/15/russian-planes-preparing-to-leave-syria-defence-ministry-putin

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Russian planes preparing to leave Syria, says defence ministry First Russian planes leave Syria after order to pull out, says defence ministry
(35 minutes later)
Russia’s defence ministry says its military at the Russian air base in Syria is preparing for some of the planes and fighter jets to leave and return home following an order to pull out from President Vladimir Putin. The first group of Russian planes has taken off from an airbase in Syria following an order to pull out from President Vladimir Putin, according to the defence ministry.
The statement came a day after Putin announced the withdrawal of most of the Russian forces from Syria, timing his move to coincide with the resumption of Syria peace talks in Geneva. The statement came a day after Putin announced the withdrawal of most Russian forces from Syria, timing his move to coincide with the resumption of peace talks in Geneva.
Related: Vladimir Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops from SyriaRelated: Vladimir Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria
The start of the negotiations in Switzerland on Monday offered Putin an opportune moment to declare an official end to the five-and-a-half-month Russian air campaign that has allowed the Syrian regime’s army to win back some key ground and strengthen its positions ahead of the talks. The start of negotiations in Switzerland on Monday offered Putin an opportune moment to declare an official end to the five-and-a-half-month Russian air campaign that has allowed the Syrian regime’s army to regain key ground and strengthen its positions ahead of the talks.
With Russia’s main goals in Syria achieved, the pullback will allow Putin to pose as a peacemaker and help ease tensions with Nato member Turkey and the Gulf monarchies vexed by Moscow’s military action.With Russia’s main goals in Syria achieved, the pullback will allow Putin to pose as a peacemaker and help ease tensions with Nato member Turkey and the Gulf monarchies vexed by Moscow’s military action.
At the same time, Putin made it clear that Russia will maintain its air base and a naval facility in Syria and keep some troops there. Syria’s state news agency also quoted Assad as saying that the Russian military will draw down its air force contingent but won’t leave the country altogether. At the same time, Putin made it clear that Russia would maintain its air base and a naval facility in Syria and keep some troops there. Syria’s state news agency also quoted Assad as saying that the Russian military would draw down its air force contingent but will not leave the country altogether.
The Syrian presidency said Assad and Putin spoke on the phone on Monday and jointly agreed that Russia would scale back its forces in Syria. It rejected speculation that the decision reflected a rift between the allies and said the decision reflected the “successes” the two armies have achieved in fighting terrorism in Syria and restoring peace to key areas of the country.The Syrian presidency said Assad and Putin spoke on the phone on Monday and jointly agreed that Russia would scale back its forces in Syria. It rejected speculation that the decision reflected a rift between the allies and said the decision reflected the “successes” the two armies have achieved in fighting terrorism in Syria and restoring peace to key areas of the country.
The Syrian army said it would continue its operations against the Islamic State group, al-Qaida’s Syria branch known as the Nusra Front and other militant factions in Syria that have been designated as terrorist groups by the United Nations “with the same tempo”.The Syrian army said it would continue its operations against the Islamic State group, al-Qaida’s Syria branch known as the Nusra Front and other militant factions in Syria that have been designated as terrorist groups by the United Nations “with the same tempo”.
On Tuesday, Russia’s defence ministry said its military personnel are currently loading equipment and materiel on cargo planes and getting ready for the withdrawal. In an earlier statement on Tuesday, Russia’s defence ministry said its military personnel were loading equipment and materiel on cargo planes and getting ready for the withdrawal.
The ministry said the jets will be accompanied by military transport aircraft and will be making stops at airfields in Russia for refuel and technical checks since some of them are stationed more than 3,000 miles away from the Syria base. The ministry said the jets would be accompanied by military transport aircraft and would be making stops at airfields in Russia for refuelling and technical checks since some are stationed more than 3,000 miles away from the Syria base.
Moscow did not indicate when the first planes are scheduled to leave. Moscow did not indicate when the first planes were scheduled to leave.
Announcing his decision in a televised meeting with Russia’s foreign and defence ministries, Putin said on Monday that the Russian air campaign has allowed Assad’s military to “radically” turn the tide of war and helped create conditions for peace talks. Announcing his decision in a televised meeting with Russia’s foreign and defence ministries, Putin said on Monday the Russian air campaign had allowed Assad’s military to “radically” turn the tide of war and helped create conditions for peace talks.
Putin didn’t specify how many planes and troops would be withdrawn. The number of Russian soldiers in Syria has not been revealed. US estimates of the number of Russian military personnel in Syria vary from 3,000 to 6,000. Putin did not specify how many planes and troops would be withdrawn. The number of Russian soldiers in Syria has not been revealed. US estimates of the number of Russian military personnel in Syria vary from 3,000 to 6,000.
Also, Russia has deployed more than 50 jets and helicopters to its Hemeimeem air base, in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia. Russia has also deployed more than 50 jets and helicopters to its Hemeimeem air base, in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia.