Can Russia Afford To Fight In Syria?

Technicians at Syria's Hmeimim airport where Russian aircraft are deployed. © Dmitriy Vinogradov / RIA Novosti

Russ Read, Daily Caller: Russia Wants Out Of Syria Because It Can’t Afford To Fight

Russia recently helped facilitate the surrender of Aleppo to its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but its motives may be financial, as opposed to virtuous.

Russia’s intervention in Syria is estimated to cost approximately $4 million per day, according to data collected by IHS Jane’s. Russian military forces began bombing Syrian targets around Sept. 30. Since the beginning of its relentless bombing campaign, Russia spent approximately $1.84 billion.

The total defense budget for 2016 of the Russian Federation was approximately $50 billion, meaning that the Kremlin spent an astonishing 3.6 percent a year on Syria alone. Though the percentage may seem relatively small, for Russia, it is unsustainable.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Fighting any war is always an expensive proposition .... especially if you decide to use modern weapons as Russia is doing in Syria. And while Russia definitely has the resources and funds to continue its campaign in Syria, it will mean diverting money away from other priorities that Moscow considers to be important. But the biggest factor that is driving Moscow's desire to disengage from Syria is politics .... Russians go to the polls next year, and a minimal Russian presence in Syria will favour Putin when he faces the electorate.

• Share
• Tweet
• Share
• Pin
• Share