Russian plane joins fleet in Latakia, can spy hundreds of kilometers into Turkey from Syrian airspace.

Following the closure of the Syrian-Turkish border and airspace, the Russian military command is receiving up-to-date information on the goings-on on the Turkish side of the border via the most advanced Russian intelligence aircraft which arrived this week at the Latakia air force base in Syria.

Latakia is an important port city in northern Syria located some 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the Turkish border.

The TU-214R spy plane flew directly from Russia a few days ago to the Latakia airport, which acts as the base of operation for all of the Russian air strikes throughout Syria.

The FLIGHTRADAR24 website, which tracks all flights using international flight paths around-the-clock, tracked the plane which is one of two that the Russian Defence Department owns.

The plane is armed with advanced optical imaging systems and radar systems that can track military movement in Turkey hundreds of miles beyond the Turkish border, without violating Turkish airspace.

Russian websites have been reporting that Russia is interested in garnering tactical information on Turkish military movements in real-time in order to ascertain whether Turkey plans on conducting military operations in Syria.

The spy plane is capable of identifying underground troop movements as well as human movement on the ground even under heavy brush cover, or in adverse weather conditions. It can identify targets using a variety of systems which include, radar and infrared scanners and then sends the information it receives back to ground control. The plane’s systems are also capable of listening in on air traffic controls and radio frequencies used by opposing forces.