29 September 2016, 14:13 GMT
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian military operations in Syria would benefit from having at least two combat-ready airbases, Russia’s former Air Force Commander Pyotr Deinekin said Thursday.
"This [the creation of a new airbase in Syria] wouldn’t hurt. A well-developed network of airfields has always been key to infrastructure on the ground. The command requires at least two combat-ready airfields for maneuvering," Army Gen. Deinekin told RIA Novosti.
Two months into the Russian offensive, which kicked off in late September 2015, Russia was reported to be readying a second airbase in Syria, near the central town of Shayrat, to deploy more warplanes. The Russian Defense Ministry denied this. Russia is only using the Hmeymim base in the western Latakia province.
