“When the decision was made to cut the number of personnel of our aviation contingent in Syria, you remember the statement of both the [Russian] president and the military, who said that the temporary infrastructure there [in Syria] remained and therefore the contingent could be increased very quickly, if necessary. This will be done in accordance with the relevant tasks,” Peshkov said, according to Russian state Tass news.
“Such prospects [increasing Russian personnel in Syria] were declared by the president rather long ago,” he added.
The Russian military drew down some of its forces in Syria in mid-March. While termed a withdrawal at the time, the Russians left a sizable air contingent in the country which helped the Syrian Army liberate Palmyra from Islamic State (ISIS) two weeks after the withdrawal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin did make clear at the time that Russia would reserve the right to build its forces back up in Syria if necessary.
Russia initially intervened in the country’s conflict last September 30 on the side of the Syrian regime, helping it to advance on several fronts for the first time in months.
Russia has reportedly agreed to a US proposal to coordinate militarily for the first time in Syria against Jabhat al-Nusra militants.
Washington said coordination could begin once the Russians stop the Syrian regime from bombing certain areas and groups in the country and convince it to abide by the outcome of negotiations, which could involve Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stepping down as part of a transitional process.
