Russia has deployed advanced warplanes to Syria, satellite images taken by Israeli firm Image Sat International proved over the weekend.
The Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets were spotted stationed at the Hemeimeem Air Base, a Syrian base operated by Russia southeast of the city of Latakia.
The Su-57 is a stealth, single-seat, twin-engine fighter jet. The fifth-generation warplane is the first aircraft in the Russian Air Force to use stealth technology.
The fighter reportedly has supercruise, stealth, supermaneuverability and advanced avionics to overcome prior-generation fighter aircraft as well as ground and maritime defenses. The aircraft is expected to have a service life of up to 35 years.
This poses the first confirmation that the state-of-the-art Russian jets are not only operational but in play in the civil war waged in Syria.
It is widely believed that Moscow is using the Syrian conflict as an operational "baptism by fire" for the jets.
