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 Khmeimim 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.