Translated material
Russia is ready to reduce its military contingent in Syria
The Russian authorities are considering the possibility of withdrawing part of the military contingent from Syria. So, a mixed air group of the aerospace forces can leave the country, Kommersant writes .
Kommersant's sources cited success in the fight against terrorists as the reason for the reduction in the contingent. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Bashar al-Assad's government troops control about 95% of the territory of the republic, and such large-scale Russian support is no longer required for the final offensive against the Islamist positions. At the same time, the Russian military will remain to protect facilities in Khmeimim and Tartus, and military police units and military advisers will not leave Syria. There will be air defense systems covering Russian facilities.
Officially, information about the reduction of the grouping of the Russian military is not confirmed. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that "such decisions are not announced." The Russian Defense Ministry claims that there are no plans to reduce the grouping in Syria.