The Russian Defense Ministry conducted more than 650 humanitarian convoys to Syria through the UN in 2020. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced this on Monday.
"The Russian grouping of troops continues to act as a guarantor of the preservation of peace in Syria. More than 650 humanitarian convoys have been escorted through the UN," Shoigu said at an expanded meeting of the Russian military department's collegium.
He noted that Russian servicemen together with their Turkish colleagues patrol road routes in the northeast of Syria. In addition, there is close cooperation in the Idlib de-escalation zone.
"With the assistance of the Russian military contingent, civilian vehicular traffic has been organized along the M-4 highway in northern Syria. Since May 25, Russian military police have escorted about 35,000 vehicles and over 66,000 people," Shoigu said.
The head of the Russian Defense Ministry added that soldiers of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Parties have carried out more than two and a half thousand humanitarian actions.
Shelters for equipment at the Khmeimim base
Shelters for all combat aircraft and nine shelters for helicopters have been built at Russia's Khmeimim airbase in Syria, Shoigu said.
"The military and social infrastructure at our bases in Syria are being improved. At the Khmeimim airfield, shelters have been built for all combat aircraft. Nine more such structures for helicopters have been built this year," Shoigu said. The new shelters allow to protect the equipment from external influences and provide stealthy preparation for combat sorties.
In addition, the Russian Navy's logistical support point in Tartus has reconstructed and modernized its barracks and housing stock and logistical base. In December 2019, a centralized aviation fuel refueling facility was completed at Khmeimim, which allows for a three-fold reduction in preparation time for a return flight.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS