Moscow Delivers More MiG-29 Jets to Syria

The handover of the fighters, which are said to be already engaged in operations, took place after Russia reportedly deployed advanced fighters to Libya 

Moscow Delivers More MiG-29 Jets to Syria

Russian fighters at Hmeimim airbase in Syria. Photo: Reuters

Russia has confirmed that it recently delivered to Syria a batch of MiG-29 fighters.  

The Russian embassy in Damascus said in a Twitter posting on June 3 that Syria's military received the jets "in the framework of military & technical cooperation between our countries," and that Syria has already started carrying out missions using them. 

On May 30, Syria's state-run news agency reported that a ceremony marking the delivery of the "advanced and modernized MiG-29 fighter jets" was held at Russia's Hmeimim airbase. It also quoted a Syrian military source as saying the fighters would be used in the country's airspace from June 1.

The delivery came several days after the US military said Russia deployed advanced fighters to support Russian mercenaries fighting alongside the forces of Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar. The planes were said to have transited in Syria where they were apparently repainted to hide their origin.