Syrian President enters cockpit of Russian fighter jet

President Bashar al-Assad on June 27 visited Russia's Hmeymim air base in Syria for the first time and sat in the cockpit of a Su-35 fighter jet, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle Eastern country.

President Assad visits Hmeymim base on June 27. Photo: Reuters

According toRT, President Bashar al-Assad visited Russia's Hmeymim air base in the Syrian city of Latakia on June 27. This is the first time a Syrian leader has visited this air base.

“I am very happy and proud to visit the Hmeymim base and meet the pilots and soldiers from Russia. They have helped our brothers in the Syrian army and the Syrian people in defending the unity and sovereignty of Syria and fighting terrorism,” President Assad said.

Russian military officials accompany President Assad at the Hmeymim base. Photo: Reuters

“Russia has provided weapons and equipment to support Syria in the fight against terrorism. Most importantly, they have shed their blood, and that is the most precious thing a human being can give to his fellow human beings,” the Syrian leader said.

“The Syrian people will never forget the help of their Russian brothers,” President Assad stressed.

Mr. Assad inspects Russian military equipment at the Hmeymim base. Photo: AFP

At the Hmeymim airbase, President Assad held talks with the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Colonel General Valery Gerasimov, and toured the base. Assad also inspected many modern Russian military equipment and personally sat in the cockpit of a Su-35 fighter jet.

“President Assad has taken a seat on the most modern and important fighter jet in the world, the Russian Su-35,” the news agency said.SANAreport

President Assad sits in the cockpit of a Russian Su-35 fighter jet. Photo: Reuters

Hmeymim base has been providing military support to the Russian army since Moscow began participating in the fight against terrorism in Syria, following the call of President Assad's government in 2015. From this airbase, thousands of flights have been launched to attack rebel and terrorist positions in Syria.

This is the first time Mr. Assad has visited Russia's Hmeymim air base. Photo: AFP

President Assad’s visit to the Russian air base comes after the US warned the Syrian government it would “pay a heavy price” if it carried out a new chemical weapons attack, which the White House said was being prepared for.

However, Russian President Dmitry Peskov's spokesman immediately denied the information, and affirmed that Washington's threats against Syria were "unacceptable".

According to Dantri