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Weeks after "Pullout" from Syria, Russian Military Is as Busy as Ever
(Washington Post) Michael Birnbaum - Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's March 14 announcement that cut short Russia's Syrian deployment, the current level of activity would suggest that the pullout has been minor at best. Russian minesweepers are checking Palmyra's ancient ruins for explosives. Russian military advisers are whipping Syrian government forces into shape and planning attacks. Russian special forces are on the front lines, calling in targeting information for airstrikes. And Russian warships continue to deliver supplies to Assad. While Russia's combat sorties have dropped to 20-25 a day from 100 a day in February, its helicopters are taking a newly prominent role in the fighting.