Russia scales down Syria military deployment

Russia's military has begun scaling down its deployment to Syria, with Moscow's sole aircraft carrier set to be the first to quit the conflict zone, it said on Friday.

"In accordance with the decision of the supreme commander of the Russian armed forces Vladimir Putin, the Russian defence ministry is beginning to reduce its armed forces deployment in Syria," military chief Valery Gerasimov said, adding that a group headed by aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov would be the first to leave.

"The tasks set for the aircraft carrier group during its military mission have been fulfilled," Russia's main commander in Syria Andrei Kartapolov added, agencies reported.

Kartapolov said that Russia still had sufficient air defence capabilities in Syria thanks to its S-300 and S-400 systems deployed in the war-torn country.

Since September 2015, Russia had boosted its firepower on land in Syria and off the coast in the Mediterranean in support of regime forces .

Russian President Putin ordered a reduction in his forces in Syria on 29 December, as he announced a ceasefire between government and rebel forces that has since dampened down the fighting. The ceasefire is largely holding, according to the UN.

Russia, along with Turkey and Iran, are currently pushing for peace talks to be held later this month in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana.