Russia withdraws most powerful missile-carrying warship from Syria

After withdrawing from Syria, the Admiral Essen will return to its base in Sevastopol. The guided-missile warship was deployed to Syria by the Black Sea Fleet in March 2018.

During its mission off the coast of Syria, the ship conducted many exercises and launched missiles to attack rebels in Syria. The decision to withdraw its most powerful warship from Syria was made by Russia after a similar decision was made with the Air Force.

Russian Kalibr missile warship.

Information about Russia's withdrawal of aircraft from Syria was quoted by TASS news agency as saying by General Sergey Surovikin - commander of Russian forces in Syria: "Their Ka-52 attack helicopters were brought by an air transport plane to an airport base in Russia. These helicopters and their crews returned home after completing their combat mission in Syria."

Although Russia did not specify how many Ka-52s returned to the country this time, according to information obtained by National Interest, in this Russian weapons withdrawal there were about 20 aircraft (more than 10 helicopters of various types and two Ka-52s), along with military police, medical forces and bomb disposal teams.

According to the American magazine, although this is a troop withdrawal, it is a calculated move by Russia because not all types of aircraft have reduced in number.

Russia will only withdraw some Su-24/25 attack aircraft and transport helicopters and reduce attack helicopters while the fleet of advanced fighters with top-notch interception capabilities will not only be kept intact but Moscow will also quietly increase the number.

And with this number of fighters, withdrawing a warship carrying Kalibr missiles back to the country will not affect Russia's attack power because the Russian Air Force can conduct high-intensity interception and ground attack campaigns in Syria at any time.