Media: Russia may reduce its military presence in Syria
The Russian authorities are considering the option of reducing the military contingent in Syria, reports Russian newspaper Kommersant, citing its sources.
According to two military-diplomatic sources, the plan assumes a partial reduction in the equipment from the composite air group at the Khmeimim air base, as well as the departure of a portion of the military contingent from Syria back to their permanent duty stations in Russia.
However, one of the newspaper's sources said that "in any case, the final word will be from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Vladimir Putin."
The newspaper points out that success by the Syrian government forces in the struggle against the Islamic State (IS) and the Al-Nusra Front could be used as an excuse for reducing the number of Russian armed forces in Syria.
At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense informed the publication that there are no plans to reduce the military contingent in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the liberation of more than 90% of the territory of Syria from the terrorists.