Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday the military operation in Syria has cost Russia approximately 33 billion rubles ($484 million).
“The military operation in Syria demanded a certain level of spending, and for the most part, was already already included in the Defense Ministry’s 2015 budget for drills and military training,” Putin was quoted as saying by TASS.
The RBC news agency earlier this month estimated the cost of Syrian campaign at 38 billion rubles ($557 million) minimum, but the Kremlin did not confirm the estimate.
Russia began what it describes as counterterrorism air strikes in Syria in September last year. On Monday, Putin ordered defense chiefs to withdraw ?€?the main part?€? of the Russian forces in Syria.
Today (Thursday) Putin addressed a group of servicemen in the Kremlin. He said Moscow would be able to build up its military presence in Syria in a matter of hours if necessary.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.