TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Russia tested 'over 200 new weapons' in Syria: MP

  (Agence France-Presse)
Moscow
Fri, February 23, 2018

Share This Article

Change Size

Russia tested 'over 200 new weapons' in Syria: MP Vehicles of the Iraqi forces and Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitaries are seen on the advance towards the Islamic State (IS) group's stronghold of Hawija (about 65 kilometres west of the northern city of Kirkuk) on October 3, 2017, to recapture the town from the jihadists. Iraqi forces on September 29 launched an assault on the northern town of Hawija, one of the last bastions in the country still held by the Islamic State group, which is also under attack in neighbouring Syria. (AFP/ AL-RUBAYE )

R

ussia has tested over 200 new types of arms in Syria during its campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad, a senior lawmaker said Thursday, as Moscow was accused of taking part in air strikes against rebel-held Eastern Ghouta.

"As we helped the brotherly Syrian people, we tested over 200 new types of weapons," said Vladimir Shamanov, a former commander of Russia's airborne troops who now serves as head of the Russian Duma's defence committee.

"It's not an accident that today they are coming to us from many directions to purchase our weapons, including countries that are not our allies," he said.

"Today our military-industrial complex made our army look in a way we can be proud of," he said.

Russia, a close ally of the Syrian government in the protracted multi-front war, has been accused of indiscriminate bombing throughout the conflict causing massive casualties. 

The latest criticism focuses on the air strikes against the enclave of Eastern Ghouta, where more than 350 civilians have been killed in five days, but the Kremlin denied involvement in the regime-led assault.

Shamanov's remarks also come amid reports that Russia has deployed its Su-57 stealth fighter prototype in Syria, where two such planes were reportedly spotted Wednesday.

Photos of the fifth generation jet, allegedly over Syria, were re-posted by various state media Thursday.

A source in the defence ministry confirmed to RBK news agency that the two planes were sent to the Hmeimim base "for a test in real conditions."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the reported deployment of Su-57

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.