Media: Russia shifts advanced air-defence systems from Syria to Libya

Russia has started moving advanced air-defence systems and military equipment from Syria to eastern Libya, according to US and Libyan officials, as Moscow aims to maintain its regional influence after the fall of the Assad regime.

Russian cargo planes have transported radars for S-400 and S-300 missile systems from Syria to territories controlled by Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who is backed by Moscow, the officials said, Caliber.Az reports per The Wall Street Journal.

The redeployment marks a significant reduction of Russia’s military footprint in Syria, which had long served as a strategic hub for projecting power across the Middle East and Africa.

The Kremlin's military withdrawal comes after years of support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Moscow last week amid a rebel offensive. Russia’s naval base in Tartus and air base in Khmeimim had underpinned its operations in the region, enabling the movement of troops, mercenaries, and weaponry.

With Syria’s bases in jeopardy, Moscow appears to be pivoting to Libya to retain its foothold in the Mediterranean. Haftar, whose Libyan National Army controls much of eastern Libya, has long sought Russian air-defence systems to bolster his grip on the war-torn country, divided since the 2011 ousting of Muammar Gaddafi.

Russia’s involvement in Libya includes the Wagner Group, a paramilitary force with close ties to Haftar. Wagner fighters have used eastern Libyan facilities as a staging ground for operations across Africa. Discussions between Russian officials and Haftar about expanding naval access in Benghazi or Tobruk have intensified, with Moscow reportedly considering upgrades to accommodate warships in Tobruk.

While the US has urged Haftar to curtail Russia’s military presence—most notably during a visit by CIA Director William Burns last year—these efforts have yielded little progress.

It remains unclear if the air-defence systems, including S-400 components, will remain in Libya or be redeployed elsewhere, US officials said.

Analysts argue that Libya cannot fully replace Syria’s strategic value. “The logistical limits of Libyan bases mean Russia’s ability to project power in Africa would be constrained,” said Gleb Irisov, a former Russian air force officer.

Meanwhile, Russian aircraft continue to make stops in Libya. On December 16, a Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations cargo plane landed in eastern Libya en route to Mali, its second such stop within a week, according to flight-tracking data. Separately, a Rubistar-operated cargo plane reportedly delivered vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and possibly ammunition, Libyan officials said.

Western nations, including NATO, are likely to monitor Russia’s activities in Libya closely, given its proximity to Southern Europe and existing NATO bases in the Mediterranean.

By Aghakazim Guliyev