On Wednesday, the U.S. military said that Russian military personnel flew MiG 29 and SU-24 fighter jets to a Libyan airbase, escorted by other Russian fighter jets, detailing an air force deployment which could have a major impact on the war in Libya.
Moscow supports Khalifa Haftar’s East-based Libyan National Army in its fight against the UN-recognized, Turkey-backed Government of National Accord. Libya is under a U.N. arms embargo.
Earlier on Wednesday, a Russian member of parliament said Russia had not sent any military personnel to Libya, and there was no order from the upper house of parliament to authorize such a dispatch.
On Tuesday, the U.S. military’s Africa Command said it determined that Russia flew fighter jets to Libya from Syria to assist Russian mercenaries battling against the LNA.
The jets were reportedly repainted in Syria to remove the Russian Federation Air Force markings.
On Wednesday, in a set of Tweets, the U.S. military added that Russian military personnel had flown the jets and Russian fighter planes and escorted them to Libya, indicating a higher degree of engagement by Moscow.
The Tweets also said that the jets first landed in Tobruk, in eastern Libya, and then flew to Jufra, a stronghold of the LNA in central Libya. The Tweets also mentioned that 14, unidentified fighter planes had been delivered to Jufra.
The Panthera Post 