Russia reveals deployment of nuclear-capable bombers to Syria airbase
Moscow has reportedly landed Tupolev Tu-22 bombers at Syria's Hmeimim Air Base for the first time.
Russia has based nuclear-capable bomber aircraft on the Mediterranean for the first time, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said Tuesday.
Three Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range bombers were sent to Russia’s Hmeimim Air Base in western Syria after improvements were made to runways at the site. The aircraft will participate in training exercises over the eastern Mediterranean before returning to Russia, the ministry said.
If confirmed, the deployment would demonstrate an extension of Russia’s aircraft-based nuclear strike range well into the Middle East and Mediterranean region. Moscow has flown Tu-22s in combat missions in Syria before, but they were not based in the country.
Video purporting to show a Tu-22M over Latakia with landing gear extended circulated on Twitter and Telegram Monday prior to the Defense Ministry's statement.
