Putin told Assad about the early withdrawal of the Russian group from Syria – RBC

Syrian President Bashar Assad during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, October 2015

Photo: Global Look Press

President Vladimir Putin conveyed to the Bashar al-Assad decided on the challenge of military groups in Syria, which begin March 15th. As told in the Kremlin, Putin called the President of Syria and “agreed” this decision

Vladimir Putin telephoned Syrian President Bashar Assad and agreed with it the beginning of withdrawal of the Russian group from Syria, reports “Interfax” referring to the statement press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov. Earlier on Monday, March 14, Putin held a meeting with the head of the Ministry of Defence Sergei Shoigu and ordered the withdrawal of the main forces of Russia from Syria 15 March.

«Of course, all said the president had been brought to the attention of our Syrian colleagues and agreed with President Assad, “- Peskov told reporters. According to him, Putin and Assad held a telephone conversation.

The report specifies the Kremlin that Putin and Assad’s conversation was initiated by the Russian side. “The leaders noted that the action of air and space forces of Russia allowed to radically change the situation with the fight against terrorism, to disorganize infrastructure fighters inflict significant damage,” – said in the press

«truce achievement contributed to a sharp reduction in the scale. bloodshed in the country, the improvement of the humanitarian situation “, – stressed in the Kremlin, adding that Assad expressed deep gratitude to Russia for a massive help in the fight against terrorism

Later, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin did not discuss. Assad with his fate. “No. It was not a topic of conversation, “- he said, answering reporters’ questions

Putin announced the beginning of the withdrawal of the military group from Syria on 14 March in Geneva where to begin peace negotiations.. A prerequisite for it was to reach agreement on a cease-fire in Syria, reached by Russia and the United States. It entered into force on 27 February. Despite the fact that the parties accused each other of violating the truce, sharply reduced the number of clashes in Syria.

About the beginning of the Russian military operation in Syria was announced September 30, 2015. According to RBC estimates, daily operations, bypassing Russia at least $ 2.5 million.

On the territory of Syria, the Russian airbase located Hmeymim (Latakia) and the point of maintenance of ships in Tartus. Air Group Air Space Forces (VKS) Russia consists of more than 50 planes and helicopters. bases Guard provides a reinforced battalion task force of soldiers 812 th Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet Marine Corps, consisting of about 600 people.

According to the Defense Ministry, which reminded the head of department, Sergei Shoigu in a conversation with Putin, since the beginning of operation VKS Russia managed to destroy more than 2 thousand fighters -. immigrants from Russia and the Syrian troops with the support of Russian aviation – to release more than 400 settlements and over 10 thousand sq. m. km territory.