Russia has sent as many as a dozen more fighter jets to Syria, days after President Putin’s announcement that Moscow was scaling back its military deployment in the war-torn country.

Vladimir Putin declared last week that Russia would begin withdrawing forces following a ceasefire deal between the government and opposition.

However 12 Su-25s were reported to have arrived at Moscow’s base in the coastal city of Latakia on Monday, signalling its intention to remain deeply involved in the conflict.

Experts speculated that the warplanes had been sent to make up for the loss of its rusting aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, which was also recalled on Friday.

The Su-25s will be used in an aerial campaign on rebel-held territory around Aleppo, according to pro-government website al-Masdar.