In addition to writing for Aviation Week Network, Maxim holds a key position at Russia's Air Transport Observer magazine (www.ato.ru). In the past he was in charge of several ATO sister aerospace publications and earlier worked for the Moscow-based CAST defense think-tank.
Maxim has a degree on international relations from MGIMO University, Moscow, Russia, and for several years worked at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Russia plans to strengthen its forces in Syria with increased air defenses and a larger fighter jet presence, after Turkish F-16s downed a Russian Sukhoi Su-24M tactical bomber near the Syrian-Turkish border on Nov. 24.
Russia’s government arms trade agency Rosoboronexport is restoring ties with Iran, continuing deliveries to Syria and otherwise planning to boost sales to the Middle East region.