Russia Resumes Military Air Operations Between Syria and Eastern Libya

Russia has restarted military flights between its Hmeimim Air Base in Syria and Al-Khadim Air Base in eastern Libya after a five-month suspension, Italy’s Nova news agency has reported.
A Russian Ilyushin Il-62M transport aircraft was seen departing from Al-Khadim for Hmeimim in Syria’s Latakia province, Moscow’s primary operational hub in the Middle East. The move follows Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s recent visit to Moscow—his first since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime—signalling renewed coordination between the two allied nations.
According to the report, the suspension of flights had prompted Russia to use alternative routes from Moscow and Belarus to Libya as it reinforced its presence in the region. The Al-Khadim base, situated near Al-Marj, approximately 100 kilometres east of Benghazi, remains a vital logistical and technical hub for forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar. The resumption of flights is viewed as part of Moscow’s broader strategy to consolidate its influence across North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.