Egypt Refuses to Block Moscow's Military Flights.

"Egypt has ignored U.S. requests to close its airspace to Russian military flights, American and Egyptian officials said, testing the limits of Washington's ability to choke off Moscow's supplies ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The U.S. and Ukraine persuaded countries including Turkey, Jordan and Iraq to cut access for at least some Russian military planes last year after the events in Ukraine, forcing Moscow's aircraft to fly 2,000 extra miles and up to five hours further to reach strategic bases in Syria.

But Egypt has permitted Russian overflights, giving Moscow a circuitous but certain path to Syria, where its forces have helped President Bashar al-Assad in a civil war in recent years. U.S. officials say Russia has used the flights to ferry weapons to Ukraine from Syria.

The U.S. and Egyptian officials said multiple American officials asked Egypt in February and March to close its airspace to the Russian military, a move that would effectively block air access to Syria. Egypt hasn't responded to the request, the officials said, and continues to allow Russian flights.

Asked about the request, a State Department spokesperson said, "We decline to comment on private diplomatic conversations."

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry didn't respond to a request for comment.

While other countries such as Saudi Arabia also have allowed Russia to continue using their airspace, Egypt's role is critical because of its location at the strategic chokepoint linking Africa and Asia. Its airspace also borders that of Greece, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization member that has blocked Russian flights.

The Russian military has flown more aircraft to Syria over Egyptian airspace in recent weeks, according to U.S. officials and flight records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. The bases are among Russia's only permanent military installations outside the former Soviet Union and serve as a staging point for flights to Africa, the Caribbean and beyond.

At least seven Russian military flights went to and from Syria in the span of two weeks in late April and early May, according to flight records.

Also in April, records show at least two flights by a giant Antonov An-124 cargo plane from southern Russia to Syria, and then returning to southern Russia's Black Sea region. The An-124 is large enough to carry vehicles and even tanks.

Turkey, Iraq and Jordan's moves to block some Russian flights add about 2,000 miles to the journey, which goes via the Caspian Sea, then Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and finally the Mediterranean Sea to reach Russian military bases in Syria, show flight records reviewed by the Journal. The new route takes more than six hours to fly from southern Russia to Syria, up from less than two hours for the shortest flights.

Russia has stocks of ammunition, infantry vehicles, air defenses, spare parts and personnel in Syria that could be of use in the Ukraine conflict, according to military analysts." [1]

Poor Zelensky, poor little fellow...

1. World News: Egypt Refuses to Block Moscow's Military Flights. Said, Summer; Malsin, Jared. 
Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 13 May 2023: A.7.