Russia Moves Its Air Defense Systems From Syria To Libya

According to US and Libyan officials, Moscow is transferring sophisticated military equipment, including advanced air defense systems, from its Syrian bases to Libya. Russian cargo planes reportedly transported air defense equipment, including radars for the S-400 and S-300 interception systems, to bases in eastern Libya controlled by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, a strongman in the region supported through Moscow.

This maneuver is an extension of the Russian presence already established in Libya, in particular via the Wagner group, now under the control of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Wagner’s mercenaries, who have close ties to Haftar, use his facilities, including an air base, as a transit point to other African countries.

Last year, Russian officials met with Haftar to discuss long-term docking rights in the ports of Benghazi or Tobruk, two cities located within 400 miles of the Greek and Italian coasts. This new expansion of Russian military presence in Libya raises concerns about Moscow’s strategic ambitions in the Mediterranean.

This redeployment could significantly modify the balance of forces in the region, while strengthening Russian influence at the gates of Europe.