Putin: Russia has withdrawn 1,140 military personnel and 13 warplanes from Syria in last few days. Putin visited Syria in December 2017. MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia has withdrawn 1,140 military personnel and 13 warplanes from Syria in last few days. "As you know, we started withdrawing our forces during my visit to Hmeimim base. This withdrawal continues now," Putin said at a ceremony for military college graduates in the Kremlin. "In the last few days, 13 war planes, 14 helicopters and 1,140 personnel have been withdrawn." Putin visited Syria in December 2017.