Russian Air Group Leaving Syria According to Schedule

The Russian air group is leaving Syria in accordance with the approved schedule, according to the General Staff.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The withdrawal of the Russian air group from Syria is carried out in line with the approved schedule, the Russian General Staff said Friday.

"At present, the preparation for redeployment of front-line aviation as well as support units is underway according to schedule," Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi, head of the General Staff's Main Operational Directorate, told reporters.

"Part of the equipment and cargo will be transported by military-transport aircraft, while the rest — by ships," Rudskoi added.

A bulk of Russia’s air groups returned to their home bases after broadly completing counterterrorist objectives in Syria at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s orders this week.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the pullout of the main contingent of Russian forces from Syria, stating they had accomplished their anti-terrorism mission.

Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Col. General Viktor Bondarev said the withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria will be completed within two to three days.

Russia had conducted an aerial campaign against terrorists in Syria since September 30, 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.