WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of the main part of the country's air forces from Syria starting on Tuesday, as the objectives of its operation against terrorist groups in Syria had broadly been achieved.
Asked how many Russian aircraft the United States has seen withdrawn from Syria, Cook said, “Small number of aircraft.”
“Less than 10, that’s what we have seen,” the spokesperson added.
Putin said the remaining groupings in Hmeimim and the naval base in the port of Tartus would play a key role in monitoring the cessation of hostilities between Syrian government and rebel forces effective since February 27.