The Russian Ministry of Defense said its warplanes began redeploying from Syria on Tuesday, after a surprise announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow would withdraw the bulk of its military forces from the country . According to a Russian military news release, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered the aircraft back to Russian territory beginning Tuesday. “Technicians at Hmeimin air base began preparing the aircraft for long-range flights to air bases in the Russian Federation,” the statement said. “Personnel are loading equipment, materials and technical equipment on military transport aircraft.” It is unclear how long the withdrawal of Russian forces will continue—or how many Russian troops and aircraft may remain in Syria. Before Mr. Putin launched the air campaign to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the end of September, Russia had kept a contingent of military advisers in the country to assist Syrian government forces. […]