The Duma approves bill to deploy Russian air force unit to Syria indefinitely

The State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, unanimously approved a bill to indefinitely prolong the deployment of a specially-formed Russian air force unit in Syria. All 446 Duma members partook in voting.

The agreement was signed in August 2015, almost a month before the start of Russia's military campaign in Syria. On August 9, 2016, it was introduced to the State Duma by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The agreement gives the Russian air force unit unlimited mobility in Syria and free use of the Hmeymim airfield in Lattakia.

Russia has been engaged in a military operation in Syria since September 30, 2015 at the request of the latter's President Bashar al-Assad. An international coalition under US leadership has repeatedly claimed that Russian planes attacked not only terrorist groups but also the armed opposition fighting against Assad and his regime.

In March 2016, Putin said the main body of Russian troops from Syria. Airstrikes have not ceased since that point.