Barracks, library, ping-pong: everyday life at Russian air base in Syria (video)

There are containers instead of houses; porridge and pies are served instead of halal food. Russian soldiers’ off-duty life at an uncharted military facility has been shown to journalists.

Russian aircraft are located at the Hmeymim airbase at Latakia airport. The airase is autonomous. All soldiers need is transported from Russia by sea.

The servicemen reside in a makeshift dormitory – accomodation containers. A canteen for 2,000 people is within easy reach. A Russian cook make meals using only Russian-made products. In a shop you will meet a Russian saleswoman and see Russian gingerbread and prices in rubles. Even bread is baked on the spot, in a mini-bakery in the camp.

The military spend their free time in a specially designated recreation area, where one can read newspapers, watch Russian TV channels and play ping-pong.

The airbase’s ‘residents’ fly about forty operational sorties a day. Several dozen Russian aircraft are deployed here, including supersonic bombers and fighters, as well as reconnaissance drones, helicopters and air defense forces. The exact amount of equipment and personnel is classified.