The Russian Ministry of Defense is working to expand its naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus following the major expansion of the main Hmeimim base, located in the Latakia countryside.
On Feb. 5, a website called The Drive published satellite images showing work in progress to extend one of the two main runways of Russia's Khmeimim airbase outpost in Syria by around 1,000 feet. “The extension would allow the base to support more regular deployments of larger and more heavily-laden aircraft, including heavy airlifters and even potentially bombers,” the outlet reported.