Russian Tupolev-22 bombers were deployed to a military air base in Iran as part of the first operational collaboration between the two countries. Russia and Iran both hope that having the bombers closer to Syria will increase the effectiveness of the missions.
Media outlets in Russia reported this morning (Tuesday) that the Russian Air Force deployed Tupolev-22 bombers to Iran. According to the Russian news agency TASS, the aircraft have already taken off from the Iranian city of Hamadan in order to carry out missions against ISIS and the rebel forces in Syria.
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nitially, the reports from Russia did not specify how many aircraft were sent to Iran and official conformation about the reports was not granted. Only after the first mission was complete, the Russian Defense Minister confirmed that the long-range bombers attacked targets in Syria.
Russian aircraft have been very active in the Syrian war for some time but hitherto, the Tupolev bombers were taking off from an Air Force base in Southern Russia.
Now, the flight time of the aircraft will be reduced by 60% and the effectiveness of the missions will increase, according to the Kremlin. Russia and Iran both have similar interests regarding the situation in Syria and the operational cooperation between them is growing.