Illustration copyright AFP

Da year ago Russia officially enteredVSyrianth war - 14 months after the United States did it.

On September 30, 2015, the Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out their first airstrikes on Syrian territory. Since then, they have flown more than 30,000 sorties and carried out more than 90,000 airstrikes (data released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on September 21).

In two years, according to official information, almost 40 Russian servicemen were killed. The media also reported on the deaths of Russians who took part in hostilities outside the Ministry of Defense.

By the time of the Russian intervention in Syria, a civil war had already been going on for five years between the army and other forces supporting President Bashar al-Assad, rebels opposed to him and Islamists, including militants banned in Russia." Islamic State"(IS, ISIS).

The BBC Russian service has summed up the interim results of the Russian campaign.

Why is Russia involved in the Syrian civil war?

The main objectives of Russia’s military actions are “to stabilize the legitimate government and create conditions for finding a political compromise” in Syria, Vladimir Putin said in October 2015. Under "legitimate authority" Russian President meant the Assad regime.

Moscow also seeks to destroy the Islamic State and the Jabhat al-Nusra group (banned in Russia, both organizations appear on the UN sanctions list) and other associations that it considers terrorist.

Illustration copyright Tass

Sometimes these tasks conflict with each other. “The very first clumsy and brutal military operation was not aimed at ISIS, but at the Free Syrian Army, which posed a direct threat to the regime,” noted a New York University professor and expert on Russian security Mark Galeotti.

There is a widespread view among analysts that the true purpose of Russia’s intervention in the conflict is the desire to increase its weight in the international arena and use the Syrian issue in bargaining with other world powers.

By 2015, the active phase of the war in Donbass, which was the main foreign policy plot of the previous year for Russians, ended.

“He [Putin] needed a diversionary maneuver to hide the failure of the war in eastern Ukraine,” argued Swedish economist and diplomat and Russia expert Anders Aslund.

By what forces is Russia participating in the war?

Military airstrikes, the presence of military advisers, military police, special forces.

In addition, it is used Navy, including for missile strikes.

The media also reported that mercenaries from private military companies from Russia were taking part in the fighting. This has never been officially confirmed.

What has changed in Syria in two years?

Government troops have significantly expanded the area of ​​their control over the country. Among other things, Assad and his military allies (including from Iran and Lebanon) regained control of largest city country of Aleppo in December 2016.

At the same time, the borders of the Islamic State have shrunk. Among other things, IS lost a number of oil fields: oil smuggling was one of the important sources financing the group.

Click Two years of Russia in Syria

September 2017

September 30, 2015

How much of this is due to Russia?

Although Assad's troops have noticeably expanded their zone of influence since Moscow's intervention, the question remains who made the main contribution to the successful fight against the Islamic State.

The American research center RAND Corporation considers the taming of the Islamic State a merit of the United States, which entered the war in early August 2014, and “to a lesser extent” of Russia, the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and Iran.

Who is fighting on the side of Russia, and who is against?

Moscow's clear enemies in the war are ISIS and grouping "Hey'at Tahrir al-Sham"(represents a union "Jabhat al-Nusrs" and dozens of other similar groups).

Government troops can be called allies of Russia Syria, Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Moscow has difficult relations with other parties. At the very beginning of the operation, Russia was criticized for attacks on representatives of the anti-Assad Free Syrian Army (FSA), which they openly support USA in its fight against the Assad regime and the Islamic State.

"Stroytransgaz" Gennady Timchenko, a businessman from President Putin’s inner circle, started a business in Syria even before the start of the war.

In 2007, Stroytransgaz completed the construction of the Arab gas pipeline from the Jordanian-Syrian border to a gas station in the Homs area under a contract with the Syrian Gas Company. The company also built a gas processing plant in Syria near Homs. Construction of another gas plant near Raqqa continues.

In April 2017, Stroytransgaz received a contract to restore phosphate deposits near Palmyra. Damascus is also ready to offer Stroytransgaz contracts for the restoration of Palmyra destroyed during the fighting, said Senator Dmitry Sablin during a visit to Syria in April 2016.

Simply patriotic Russian businessmen also tried to find their own business benefits in war-torn Syria. Owner of a shoe manufacturer and retailer Zenden(second in terms of turnover in the Russian Federation) Andrey Pavlov decided to start producing shoes in Syria in the fall of 2016.

Before this, some of the shoes for the brand were made in Turkey. After the armed forces of this country shot down a Russian plane, the businessman decided to curtail his production there. In addition, it was cheaper to make shoes in Syria.

As a result, Zenden shoes are produced in a factory in Latakia, close to the Russian military base. And in the Russian stores of the chain, special shelves with a sign “Made in Syria” appeared.

By now, Pavlov has “given up” with shoe production in Syria, the businessman himself told the BBC Russian Service. “We might collaborate during the season,” he added, noting that the factory only produced summer shoes.

The Russian Ministry of Defense was unable to promptly respond to requests for information regarding this material sent by the BBC Russian Service.

Events surrounding Russian troops in Syria on September 30 are developing rapidly - in the morning, President Vladimir Putin received permission to use troops abroad, and a few hours later the media reported about the first airstrike. Medialeaks is opening a live broadcast that will collect news, opinions and reactions of Russians to the official appearance of Russian troops in Syria.

20:15. The first day of official Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war is coming to an end, we will stop broadcasting until tomorrow. So far, the result is this: according to the Syrian opposition and Western news agencies, 36 people were killed as a result of the first airstrikes of the Russian Air Force in seven different regions of Syria. The US administration and the Syrian opposition openly point out that Russian planes did not attack Islamic State militants. Russia insists on its right to help the government of Bashar al-Assad, which it recognizes as the only legitimate one in Syria. The version of the resolution on Syria proposed by Russia, which proposes to counter IS and “other terrorist organizations,” is still being considered.

20:10. Turkish media write that Russia hit ISIS, al-Nusra, and SAS, in general, everyone except the Kurds and Assad.

Sputnik Turkey reporter: Russia is hitting ISIS, Al Nusra, Free Syrian A & Ahrar al-Sham positions w guided missiles https://t.co/FfQ7jHV1BR

20:00. CNN quotes an administration official trolling our military: Russian air force bombing in Syria does not serve a strategic purpose.

Russian airstrike in Syria “has no strategic purpose” in terms of combating ISIS, U.S. official says. http://t.co/UgDHKa8rtD - CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 30, 2015

Another reaction from the USA:

“It is a tragedy that a Russian autocrat and an Iranian theocrat are joining together to support #Assad‘ah,” said Senator John #McCain in the Senate - Voice of America (@GolosAmeriki) September 30, 2015

19:30. The Americans are not far behind. ISIS is being bombed near Aleppo, Reuters reports. And Russian Jen Psaki - Maria Zakharova - tells everything about us, that is, about informational stuff.

“We had no sooner launched the operation than photographs of alleged victims were published on social networks. What can I say: we all know perfectly well how such shots are filmed and how they are made. The speed with which it was all prepared is amazing. The famous film "The Tail Wags the Dog" is a visual tutorial By the way such stuffing is done, the scale becomes international.”

19:10. Reuters has video of the bombing. They write that this is amateur photography near Homs.

19:00. Spiteful critics report that Assad’s troops are also not wasting any time and are dropping cluster bombs on Daraya (a suburb of Damascus).

Syrian govt meanwhile drops fifty barrel bombs on 12 hours on Daraya nr Damascus - alex thomson (@alextomo) September 30, 2015

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem gave an interview to the RT Arabic Bureau and said that Syria trusts us.

“Without a doubt, we have full confidence in the position of Russia and President Vladimir Putin, who has made the country's intentions clear in the fight against terrorism.”

The BBC, by the way, has a clearer map of who controls what in Syria. Pink - Assad, red - Hezbollah, green - opposition (SAS, including), purple - Kurds, yellow - ISIS.

18:55. Still, France did not like the start of Russia’s Syrian campaign. Strikes in Syria should be carried out only against the Islamic State and other terrorist organizations, all these actions must be verified, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said at a briefing.

18:45. We haven't had any photo materials on our broadcast for a long time. An anti-Hezbollah account shows a prayer over the bodies of those killed after the Russian bombing of Talbisah.

18:40. Oops! Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev does not exclude the possibility that the fight against ISIS could affect not only the territory of Syria, but also neighboring states, Interfax writes.

“I do not exclude any scenarios for the simple reason that it is impossible to try to solve the problem of ISIS in any one segment, understanding that those whom the Syrians are chasing with our help can crawl beyond some virtual border, recover, recharge and pass a course of treatment. I apologize for the incorrect comparison, but when you poison an insect, it is not enough to send it to your neighbors’ kitchen - this makes our efforts to counter terrorism pointless.”

18:35. Europe is kind of behind us. The French Foreign Minister at the UN Security Council said that we need to act together. And even before this, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said: “It is impossible to achieve peace without Russia’s participation.” The Chinese speak out in a more streamlined manner, and it can be understood that they do not like either the United States or Russia in Syria. Here is how TASS quotes Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi:

“China considers it counterproductive to impose foreign settlement models in the Middle East from outside, without taking into account the specifics of the region.”

It is necessary to convene the Geneva 3 conciliation conference as soon as possible - without preconditions and with the participation of all interested parties, Wang Yi added. 18:25. Meduza reached those who were bombed in Homs.

“This afternoon two planes flew over our city. They fired eight missiles. These attacks targeted residential areas of the city. The strikes killed 16 civilians. Three of them are children, two are women,” says a resident of the Talbis suburb.

18:15. The contradiction between Hama and Homs has been resolved. The Syrian opposition reports that they bombed both there and there. Thanks to the Snob project for the translation:

« Russian aircraft struck the village of Zafarana north of Homs and the town of Latamina near the city of Hama.”

“Echo of Moscow”, citing state-run Syrian television, reports that among the seven areas that our pilots hit today, the outskirts of Homs and the province of Hama are named. 18:05. Lavrov proposed a Russian draft UN Security Council resolution on Syria, which, along with ISIS, contains the wording “and other terrorist organizations.” You can put anything under this later.

“Today we present to the members of the Security Council a draft of such a resolution. It builds on previously adopted Council documents with an emphasis on building coherent counter-terrorism actions based on the norms and principles of international law.”

And to some it’s all a joke, meanwhile.

18:00. So is there ISIS in Homs or not? News agencies do not have a common opinion on this matter.

17:50. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov chairs a meeting of the UN Security Council #rightnow, and says that:

“The Russian Air Force operation in Syria is aimed only at combating terrorism, the United States has been notified of this.”

Russia can’t expect its bombing of civilians to go unrecorded 2/2 - Eliot Higgins (@EliotHiggins) September 30, 2015

“The Syrian opposition forces have become well established in social media for four years, and they know a lot about what it’s like to be under bombs. Russia cannot expect that bombing of civilians will not be recorded."

Higgins also writes that he studied various sources the videos are very good in recent years and confirm the reliability of those that are reposted. Simply put:

As for “Why are there so many videos at once”: these people have been bombed for 4 years, they are trying to somehow attract attention, and now. - Fox Mikita (@ReggaeMortis1) September 30, 2015

17:05. On Channel One, presenter Peter Tolstoy asked the show participants not to scold the United States. 17:00. TASS reports:

Official account of the Ministry of Defense on Facebook:

16:50. Great words from great people:

The USA and Europe do not know how to fight. We are coming to the aid of Syria to destroy the ISIS thugs who are causing the Middle East to be covered in blood.

Just in case, here is a quote from the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense Igor Konashenkov via Interfax:

“In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) today began conducting an air operation to carry out targeted strikes on ground targets of ISIS terrorists in the Syrian Arab Republic. The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergei Shoigu, informed his colleagues in the CSTO that during the air operation in Syria, Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft are striking military equipment, communication centers, vehicles, warehouses of weapons, ammunition and fuel and lubricants belonging to terrorists ISIS."

16:35. Former vice-president, Hero of Russia, Major General Alexander Rutskoy on Lifenews gives his expert assessment: What are the prospects for our troops in Syria.

“Well, with aviation - two or three months, and everything will be finished.”

Meanwhile, from the same source as the video of the bombings, there are videos of mothers mourning the children who died today. It is not yet possible to confirm the authenticity of the videos.

Current discussions on other resources:

The deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs said that Russia is ready to accept Bashar Assad if he is overthrown http://t.co/OqYeiPWX5J - Tonia Samsonova (@toniasamsonova)

September 30, 2017 marks two years since Moscow responded to Damascus’ request to help in the fight against terrorism and began a military operation in Syria. What has been done for peace in Syria?

According to the latest data from the Russian Ministry of Defense, over the past two years in Syria, 87% of the entire territory has been liberated from IS 1 militants (a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation). A huge amount of credit goes to this. Russian aircraft carried out more than 30 thousand combat sorties and carried out about 100 thousand surgical strikes against targets (including international terrorist infrastructure facilities) that had been identified in advance. The operations were carried out by attack aircraft and front-line bombers, flying daily from the Khmeimim airbase, as well as by strategic aircraft.

One of NATO's analytical reports compared the effectiveness of Russian aviation and the air force of the Western coalition. And the analysts' conclusions were far from being in favor of the latter. Thus, 40 Russian fighters stationed in Syrian Latakia carried out up to 75 sorties per day, each time delivering “precise and effective strikes” against IS positions. And, having a total of 180 combat aircraft, they destroyed only 20 targets every day and often returned to base with unused ammunition. It turns out that with a small number of people, the efficiency of the Russian Aerospace Forces was four times higher!

Thanks to efficient work Almost 54 thousand extremists were destroyed by aviation: for two years the militants stood on the outskirts of the capital of the Syrian state, hatching plans to seize it, and today almost 90% of the country’s territory has been liberated from terrorists.

In addition to the areas where Islamists were deployed, the pilots’ targets were command posts and training camps, ammunition depots and clandestine factories, as well as other facilities that were sources of income for the radicals.

We are talking about oil fields, pipelines and fuel pumping stations located in provinces rich in natural resources, over which the Islamists have firmly held control for several years. Only for the first year military operation Russia's air strikes in Syria destroyed 184 oil refineries and about 10,000 other facilities, including fuel tanker convoys. The damage caused to the militants’ infrastructure was so significant that it practically “bleded” the international terrorist organization, cutting off the main financial arteries.

The forces of the Russian Aerospace Forces played a decisive role in carrying out operations to liberate cities of strategic importance - Aleppo and Palmyra. During the liberation of Aleppo, the lives of 100 thousand civilians were saved, which is a merit of the Russian Aerospace Forces aviation, which showed coherent action.

During active hostilities in the Palmyra area, the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a unique operation to liberate the city of El-Qaryatein, to which the militants fervently clung. For them, this city was of great importance because it was located on a highway that passed through the desert. The radicals tried to transfer reinforcements from Raqqa to El-Qaryatein about 30 (!) times, but each time the radical detachments were identified and destroyed by the Russian Aerospace Forces on the approach to the city.

In the course of military operations and with active air support from Russian aviation, control over a section of the Syrian-Iraqi border in southern Syria (length of more than 180 kilometers), as well as the Syrian-Jordanian border in the provinces of Es-Suwayda and Damascus (length of 195 kilometers) has now been restored ).

Another powerful psychological effect of the actions of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria was the almost complete cessation of mass acts of intimidation by ISIS terrorists, expressed in barbaric executions and other crimes. This was achieved thanks to several air retaliation operations, which again convinced ISIS of the accuracy and effectiveness of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

But the main result of Russia’s two-year military operation in Syria was a gradual turn towards a peaceful direction in the country, tired of many years civil war. Russia's active support allowed Syria to establish a calm life in Damascus. The reconstruction of Aleppo is in full swing - more than 140 thousand civilians have already returned here and are establishing the work of enterprises. Thanks to the professional actions of the Russian Aerospace Forces, it was possible to preserve at least part of the monuments in Palmyra and break through the long-term blockade around Deir ez-Zor. After the terrorists were driven out of the gas and oil fields of the provinces rich in these minerals, the opportunity of Syria arose. Air support, which was carried out from the Khmeimim airbase for two years, led to a radical change in the situation in the country, which until recently stood on the threshold of physical survival.

According to military experts, success in Syria is the result of the competent leadership of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the use of the right tactics in the fight against terrorism, as well as the coordinated work of the Russian Aerospace Forces. As a result, Syria received a real chance to maintain state power in the country.

1 The organization is prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation.

HOW THE RUSSIAN MILITARY HELPED FIGHT TERRORISTS IN SYRIA

On March 14, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of the main Russian forces from Syria from March 15.

At the same time, two Russian bases will continue to operate in Syria - Khmeimim and Tartus. They will continue to monitor the ceasefire in coordination with foreign partners.

In total, the Russian operation in Syria lasted 5 months and 14 days, it involved formations of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) and the Navy (Navy) of the Russian Federation.

From September 30, 2015 to mid-February 2016, when ceasefire negotiations began (the agreement came into force on February 27), Russian aviation carried out more than 7.2 thousand sorties from the Khmeimim airbase, destroying over 12.7 thousand militant targets .

The support of the Russian Aerospace Forces allowed the Syrian government forces to stop the territorial expansion of terrorist groups and launch an offensive in the provinces of Hama, Idlib and Aleppo. In addition, thanks to Russian strikes, terrorists lost more than half of the income from oil illegally extracted in Syrian territory.

According to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Russian troops killed more than 2 thousand militants in Syria who came from the Russian Federation, including 17 field commanders.

The combat losses of the Russian Armed Forces amounted to three people, one plane and one helicopter.

How the Russian army fought and what diplomatic efforts are being made to ensure that the successes of the military operation are justified, - in the TASS material.

Main stages of the operation

On September 30, 2015, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation unanimously approved the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin to use the country's Armed Forces outside its territory. This decision made it possible to launch an operation of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) of the Russian Federation against the terrorist groups “Islamic State” and “Jabhat al-Nusra” (banned in the Russian Federation) in Syria at the request of the country’s President Bashar al-Assad.

Immediately after the decision of the Federation Council, a Russian aviation group stationed at the Syrian Khmeimim airfield launched the first targeted airstrikes against IS targets in the Syrian provinces of Homs and Hama.

In addition to the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Russian Navy was also involved in the operation. On the night of October 6-7, the ships of the Red Banner Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy from the Caspian Sea launched a massive strike with cruise missiles of the sea-based Kalibr complex against IS targets in Syria. 26 missiles were fired from the ships "Dagestan", "Grad Sviyazhsk", "Veliky Ustyug" and "Uglich".

On November 17, 2015, Putin demanded that Russian air strikes be stepped up in Syria. This happened after the head of the Federal Security Service, Alexander Bortnikov, reported that the crash was caused by the Russian airliner A321 in Egypt.

On the same day, in accordance with the assigned task, massive strikes were carried out on militant positions in Syria with air-launched cruise missiles and aerial bombs by the crews of the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M3.

On November 20, Russia increased the air force participating in the operation to 69 aircraft. At the same time, the ships of the Caspian Flotilla launched 18 cruise missiles at seven terrorist positions, successfully hitting all targets.

On December 8, sea-based cruise missiles "Caliber" were launched for the first time from the submarine "Rostov-on-Don" from the water area Mediterranean Sea. The attack destroyed two IS command posts in Raqqa province.

ISIS's income hits

In the first two months of the operation alone, 32 oil production complexes, 11 oil refineries, and 23 oil pumping stations were damaged. One thousand eighty tank trucks transporting petroleum products were destroyed. This made it possible to reduce the turnover of illegally extracted oil on Syrian territory by almost 50%.

According to Russian military data, the Islamic State's annual income from illegal oil sales amounts to about $2 billion a year.

Russia also accused Turkey's top leadership and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally of being involved in the illegal production and transportation of Syrian and Iraqi oil.

In turn, the head of the main operational directorate of the Russian General Staff, Sergei Rudskoy, said that the Russian Ministry of Defense has identified three main routes for transporting oil from Syria and Iraq to Turkey.

© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Combat losses

November 24, 2015 front-line bomber Su-24M (tail number “83 white”, registration number RF-90932) A special aviation group of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria was shot down by an F-16 fighter of the Turkish Air Force on Syrian territory.

The pilots managed to eject, ground fire was opened on them, and the pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov, was killed.

According to the Turkish side, the bomber was shot down due to a violation of the airspace of this country. The Russian Ministry of Defense denied the fact that the Su-24M crossed the Turkish border.

Russian Aerospace Forces helicopters flew out to search for the pilots; during the operation, one of them (Mi-8AMTSh) was damaged by shelling from the ground, and a contract marine, sailor Alexander Pozynich, died on board. The helicopter made an emergency landing on neutral territory, the crew and personnel of the search and rescue group were evacuated, and the vehicle itself was later destroyed by mortar fire from territory controlled by gangs.

On February 1, 2016, as a result of a mortar attack by IS terrorists on a military garrison where one of the Syrian army units was stationed, a Russian military adviser was mortally wounded.

Coordination in the sky

The military operation required coordination with the countries of the region, as well as with the United States, which leads the coalition against the Islamic State, which has been fighting in Iraq and Syria since the fall of 2014.

The only party with which Russia had problems was Türkiye.

Putin instructed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to intensify Russian participation

Lavrov, in turn, reported to the president that the operation of the Aerospace Forces contributed to the creation of conditions for the political process in Syria. The Foreign Minister recalled that Russia has consistently advocated the establishment of inter-Syrian dialogue.

It is noteworthy that the diplomatic process in Syria sharply intensified precisely with the start of the Russian military operation. Russia succeeded in bringing Iran into the negotiations, something Moscow had been insisting on since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011. For the first time, the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry joined negotiations on the Syrian settlement on October 30, 2015 in Vienna.

The second meeting in Vienna took place on November 14. Its participants agreed to facilitate the holding of a meeting between the delegations of the Syrian government and the opposition by January 1, 2016, in order to later reach the creation of a transitional governing body and begin preparations for the development of a new constitution. This process, according to the road map developed in Vienna, should take about 18 months.

Peace talks were due to resume in Geneva in late January - early February 2016. However, the parties were once again unable to reach a compromise. Negotiations were “paused.”

The situation changed dramatically after the conclusion of the armistice agreement, which was agreed upon at the initiative of Russia and the United States. The ceasefire agreements do not apply to the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra groups and other groups designated as terrorist by the UN Security Council. Russia and the United States are jointly monitoring compliance with the terms of the ceasefire.

This opened up a chance to start a new round of negotiations, which would not have been possible if not for the efforts that Russia has made on the diplomatic and military front over the past months.

What weapons did the Russian Federation use?

Initially, the Russian group included 48 aircraft and helicopters, including Su-34 and Su-24M bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters, Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters.

The agreement on the deployment of a Russian aviation group at the Khmeimim airfield in Syria was concluded on August 26, 2015. The presence of Russian aviation, according to the document, “is defensive in nature and is not directed against other states.” The contract is concluded for an indefinite period.

The military operation also involved long-range aviation aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 and about 10 ships of the Russian Navy.

On November 26, 2015, the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system was deployed to the Khmeimim airfield to protect the Russian air group.

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Su-24M "FENCER"

The main strike force of the Russian air group in Syria is the modernized Su-24M front-line bomber.

The Su-24 (according to NATO classification - Fencer-D) is a front-line bomber with a variable-sweep wing; it received the nickname “Fencer” for its elongated nose. Designed to carry out missile and bomb strikes in simple and adverse weather conditions, day and night, including at low altitudes. Chief designer - Evgeniy Felsner.

The plane made its first flight in 1976. The bomber is equipped with a special computing subsystem SVP-24 "Hephaestus", adopted for service in 2008, which expands the aircraft's capabilities to search and destroy targets. The Su-24M is capable of flying at low altitude and following the terrain. The bomber can strike both ground and surface targets using a wide range of ammunition, including high-precision weapons, including adjustable aerial bombs (KAB). Maximum speed flight near the ground - 1250 km/h, ferry range - 2,775 km (with two PTB-3000 external fuel tanks). The aircraft is equipped with two AL-21F-3A turbojet engines with a thrust of 11,200 kgf each.

Armament - a 23 mm caliber cannon, on 8 suspension points it can carry air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, adjustable and free fall aircraft bombs, as well as unguided aircraft missiles, removable cannon installations. Can carry tactical nuclear bombs on board.

Currently, the Su-24 and its modifications are in service with the Russian Air Force, as well as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. About 120 modified units are planned to be replaced by the Su-34 by 2020.

© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Su-34 "DUCKING"

The multifunctional fighter-bomber of the "4+" generation Su-34 (according to NATO classification - Fullback) is designed to carry out high-precision missile and bomb strikes, including using nuclear weapons, against ground and surface targets at any time of the day. The main attack aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Among the Russian military, the Su-34 was nicknamed "Duckling" due to the nose of the aircraft, which resembles a duck's beak.

The all-weather front-line bomber is a modernization of the Su-27 fighter. Chief designer - Rollan Martirosov.

The first flight took place on April 13, 1990. It was adopted by the Russian Air Force on March 20, 2014. Serially produced since 2006 at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after V.P. Chkalova. Maximum speed - 1900 km/h, flight range - more than 4,000 km without refueling (7,000 km - with refueling), service ceiling- 14,650 meters. Armament - a 30 mm caliber cannon, on 12 hardpoints it can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles of various types, unguided rockets and aerial bombs.

The aircraft is equipped with an in-flight refueling system. The Su-34 is equipped with two AL-31F M1 turbojet engines with a thrust of 13,300 kgf each in afterburner mode. The aircraft crew is 2 people.

According to information from open sources, in December 2014, the Russian Air Force had 55 Su-34 units in service. In total, the Russian Ministry of Defense intends to adopt 120 Su-34s.

© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Su-25SM "GRACH"

The armored subsonic attack aircraft Su-25SM (NATO reporting name - Frogfoot-A), nicknamed "Rook", is designed to directly support ground forces over the battlefield day and night with direct visibility of the target, as well as destroy objects with given coordinates around the clock in any weather conditions .

The aircraft differs from the base model of the Su-25 in the presence of an on-board sighting and navigation system PrNK-25SM "Bars" and equipment for working with the GLONASS satellite navigation system. The cabin equipment was also seriously updated - multifunction displays (MFDs) were added and a new indicator on windshield(HUD) instead of old sights.

The Su-25SM is capable of using a wide range of ammunition, including precision weapons. The aircraft is equipped with a 30 mm GSh-30-2 double-barreled aircraft cannon. The maximum flight speed at the ground is 975 km/h, the flight radius is 500 km. The aircraft is equipped with two RD-195 turbojet engines with a thrust of 4,500 kgf each at maximum speed.

Su-25 became the most warlike aircraft Russian army. He participated in many military operations (Afghanistan, Angola, South Ossetia). It is the “Rooks” that leave plumes of colored smoke in the form of the Russian flag over Red Square at every Victory Parade.

© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Su-27SM

Multi-role fighter Su-27SM (according to NATO classification - Flanker-B mod.1). Designed to gain air superiority. The aircraft's efficiency has doubled compared to the base Su-27 when operating against air targets.

The Su-27SM is equipped with new airborne systems radio-electronic equipment(avionics). The aircraft cockpit is equipped with multifunctional displays (MFDs). The range of used aviation weapons (AWW) has been expanded.

On Su-27SM3 type aircraft, two additional hardpoints are installed under the wing consoles.

Su-30SM

The task of the Su-30SM fighters (according to NATO classification - Flanker-H) is to cover bombers and attack aircraft that strike the positions of Islamic State militants.

The Russian two-seat multirole heavy fighter of the "4+" generation was created on the basis of the Su-27UB through its deep modernization.

Designed both for gaining air superiority and for striking ground and surface targets. The design of the aircraft uses the front horizontal tail (FH) and engines with thrust vector control (TCV). Thanks to the use of these solutions, the aircraft has super maneuverability.

The Su-30SM is equipped with a multifunctional control radar station (RLCS) with a Bars passive phased array antenna (PFAR). The fighter's ammunition range includes a wide range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles and precision-guided air-to-surface weapons. The Su-30SM can be used as an aircraft for training pilots for advanced single-seat fighters. Since 2012, the construction of these aircraft for the Russian Air Force has been underway.

The Su-30SM is capable of performing fighting, associated with long range and flight duration and effective control of a group of fighters.

The Su-30SM is equipped with an in-flight refueling system, new navigation systems, the composition of the group action control equipment has been expanded, and the life support system has been improved. Due to the installation of new missiles and a weapons control system, the combat effectiveness of the aircraft has been significantly increased.

© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Su-35S

The Russian multi-role supersonic super-maneuverable fighter Su-35S belongs to the 4++ generation. It was developed in the 2000s by the experimental design bureau named after. BY. Sukhoi based on the Su-27 front-line fighter. The Su-35 made its first flight in 2008.

The aerodynamic design of the aircraft is made in the form of a twin-engine high-wing aircraft with a three-wheel retractable landing gear with a front strut. The Su-35 is equipped with AL-41F1S turbojet engines with an afterburner and a thrust vector controlled in one plane.

The 117C engine is responsible for the super-maneuverability of the Su-35. It was developed on the basis of its predecessors AL-31F, installed on Su-27 aircraft, but differs from them in increased thrust of 14.5 tons (versus 12.5), longer service life and lower fuel consumption.

The Su-35 has 12 external hardpoints for attaching high-precision missiles and bombs. Two more are for placing electronic warfare containers.

The Su-35's armament includes a whole range of air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, as well as unguided missiles and aerial bombs of various calibers.

In terms of the range of bomber and unguided missile weapons, the Su-35 is generally no different from today’s Su-30MK, but in the future it will be able to use improved and new models of aerial bombs, including those with laser correction. The maximum combat load weight is 8000 kg.

The fighter is also equipped with a GSh-30-1 cannon of 30 mm caliber (ammunition capacity - 150 rounds).

© TV channel "Zvezda"

Long-range aviation

Tu-22M3

Long-range supersonic missile carrier-bomber with variable wing geometry.

Designed to engage ground and sea targets with supersonic guided missiles at any time of the day and in any weather conditions.

Chief designer - Dmitry Markov. The first flight took place on June 22, 1977, it went into serial production in 1978, and was adopted by the USSR Air Force in March 1989.

In total, about 500 Tu-22M of various modifications were built. The maximum speed of the aircraft is 2,300 km/h, the practical range is 5,500 km, the service ceiling is 13,500 m. The crew is 4 people. Can carry cruise missiles various types with a conventional or nuclear charge.

Currently, aircraft of this model, which are in service with the Russian Air Force, are being repaired and modernized.

© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Tu-95MS

Turboprop strategic missile-carrying bomber.

Designed to destroy important targets with nuclear and conventional weapons in remote military-geographical areas and in the deep rear of continental theaters of military operations.

Chief designer - Nikolay Bazenkov. The aircraft was created on the basis of the Tu-142MK and Tu-95K-22. The first flight took place in September 1979. Adopted by the USSR Air Force in 1981.

Maximum speed is 830 km/h, practical range is up to 10,500 km, service ceiling is 12,000 meters. Crew - 7 people. Armament - long-range cruise missiles, 2 23 mm cannons.

Currently, the Russian Aerospace Forces have about 30 units in service. Modernization to the Tu-95MSM version is underway, which will extend the service life of the aircraft until 2025.

© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Tu-160

Supersonic strategic missile-carrying bomber with variable wing geometry.

Designed to destroy the most important targets with nuclear and conventional weapons in remote military-geographical areas and in the deep rear of continental theaters of military operations.

Chief designer - Valentin Bliznyuk. The vehicle made its first flight on December 18, 1981, and was adopted by the USSR Air Force in 1987.

Maximum speed - 2,230 km/h, practical range - 14,600 km, service ceiling - 16,000 m. Crew - 4 people. Armament: up to 12 cruise missiles or up to 40 tons of air bombs. Flight duration is up to 15 hours (without refueling).

At least 15 aircraft of this type are in service with the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces. By 2020, ten modernized Tu-160M ​​aircraft are expected to arrive.

© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Helicopters

Mi-8AMTSH "TERMINATOR"

Mi-8AMTSh Terminator transport and attack helicopters are stationed at the Khmeimim airbase. This is the latest modification of the well-known and proven military transport helicopter Mi-8.

"Terminator" is designed to destroy enemy equipment, including armored equipment, shelters and firing points, and manpower.

The range of ammunition used on board the Mi-8AMTSh, in addition to unguided weapons, includes high-precision weapons, in particular anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) 9M120 "Attack" or 9M114 "Sturm". The helicopter can carry up to 37 paratroopers, up to 12 wounded on stretchers or transport up to 4 tons of cargo, perform search and rescue and evacuation operations.

The helicopter is equipped with two VK-2500 engines of increased power. Mi-8AMTSh are equipped with a set of means of protection against damage. The cockpit of the new helicopter is equipped with multifunctional indicators that display digital map terrain, and the latest flight and navigation equipment working with GPS and GLONASS navigation systems. Mi-8AMTSh helicopters are also distinguished by improved service life indicators, allowing significant savings on helicopter maintenance throughout the life cycle.

Crew - 3 people. Maximum speed - 250 km/h, flight range - up to 800 km, service ceiling - 6,000 meters.

Versatility and high performance characteristics have made Mi-8 helicopters one of the most popular Russian helicopters in the world.

Mi-24P

The Mi-24P attack helicopter (NATO classification - Hind-F) is designed for visual surveillance and organization of a security zone in the area of ​​the Khmeimim airfield, as well as search and rescue operations. It is a modernized version of the Mi-24.

Each Mi-24P used in Syria carries four units of 20 unguided aircraft missiles. The helicopter is also equipped with guided missiles and a 30-mm double-barreled automatic aircraft cannon GSh-30K (ammunition - 250 rounds), capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h and rising to a height of 4,500 meters. Can fly at extremely low altitudes from 5 to 10 meters.

The helicopter made its first flight in 1974, serial production began in 1981.

The Mi-24P is designed to strike concentrations of manpower, combat equipment, including armored ones, and destroy low-flying, low-speed air targets.

The crews of the Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-24P helicopters are equipped with night vision goggles, which allows them to fly at night.

Bombs and rockets

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CONCRETE BOMB BETAB-500

The BetAB-500 concrete-piercing bomb was developed at the Basalt State Research and Production Enterprise. Designed for the destruction of concrete structures, bridges, naval bases. The main task of the bomb is to pierce the roof of a fortified facility, these can be underground fuel or lubricant warehouses or weapons, various concrete fortifications. BetAB-500 is capable of breaking through 1 meter of concrete buried 5 meters into the ground. In the ground medium density this ammunition forms a crater with a diameter of 4-5 meters. Such parameters are achieved, firstly, due to the trajectory of the bomb falling - vertically downwards. After being dropped from an airplane, a special braking parachute opens at the ammunition, which directs the BetAB to the ground. In addition, when the parachute is fired, a rocket accelerator is activated in the tail of the bomb, which creates additional speed for the ammunition to meet the target. The mass of the bomb warhead is 350 kg.

BetAB has a reinforced shell compared to a conventional high-explosive bomb, which helps break through concrete and other fortifications.

ROCKETS KH-29L AND KH-25ML

The X-29 family of missiles were developed in the USSR and put into service back in 1980. Currently, the modernization and production of ammunition is carried out by the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation.

Missiles of this type are designed to destroy ground targets such as strong aircraft shelters, stationary railway and highway bridges, industrial structures, warehouses, and concrete runways.

In the Kh-29L version, the missile is equipped with a laser homing head. In Syria, these missiles are used by Su-24M front-line bombers and Su-34 fighter-bombers.

The missile is equipped with a high-explosive penetrating warhead. Before launching a missile, the pilot can set the option for the missile to fire - instantaneous, upon contact of the missile with the target, or delayed firing.

The firing range of the Kh-29L missile is from 2 to 10 km.

The missile has a powerful warhead weighing 317 kg with an explosive mass of 116 kg.

Kh-25 is an aviation guided multi-purpose air-to-surface missile equipped with a semi-active homing head (GOS). The Kh-25ML missile is equipped with a laser seeker.

Designed to destroy small targets both on the battlefield and behind enemy lines. Capable of breaking through up to 1 meter of concrete.

The maximum launch range is 10 km. Flight speed - 870 m/s. Warhead mass (warhead) - 86 kg.

KAB-500S

This adjustable bomb is designed for high-precision destruction of stationary ground targets - railway bridges, fortifications, communication nodes. The bomb has high accuracy defeat due to the inertial-satellite guidance system. The ammunition can be used effectively both day and night in any weather.

The bomb can be dropped at distances from 2 to 9 km from the target and at altitudes from 500 meters to 5 km at a carrier aircraft speed of 550 to 1100 km/h. Bomb mass in different options- 560 kg, mass of high-explosive concrete-piercing warhead - 360-380 kg.

The probable circular deviation of the bomb from the target, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, is 4-5 meters, according to the manufacturer - from 7 to 12 meters.

KAB-500S has a fuse with three types of delay.

A direct hit from two such aerial bombs in Syria destroyed the headquarters of the Liwa al-Haq formation, and more than 200 militants were immediately eliminated.

OFAB DIFFERENT WEIGHTS

Free-fall high-explosive fragmentation bomb. It is used to destroy weakly protected military targets, armored and unarmored vehicles, and manpower. It is used from altitudes from 500 meters to 16 km.

In Syria, these munitions are used by Su-25SM attack aircraft.

CRUISE MISSILE X-555

Subsonic air-launched strategic cruise missile, modification of the X-55, equipped with a conventional warhead.

The missile is equipped with an inertial-Doppler guidance system, which combines terrain correction with satellite navigation. X-555 can be equipped different types Warhead: high-explosive fragmentation, penetrating or cassette with different types of elements. Compared to the X-55, the mass of the warhead was increased, which led to a reduction in the flight range to 2000 km. However, the X-555 can be equipped with conformal fuel tanks to increase the cruise missile's flight range to 2,500 km. According to data from open sources, the circular probable deviation (CPD) of the missile ranges from 5 to 10 m.

According to data obtained from a video recording of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Kh-555 missiles were used from Tu-160 and Tu-95MS aircraft, which carried them in the intra-fuselage compartments.

Strategic missile carriers of these types are equipped with an MKU-6-5 drum-type launcher, which can carry 6 air-launched cruise missiles.

CRUISED MISSILE ZM-14

On October 7, 2015, 3M-14 cruise missiles of the Caliber NK complex were successfully used during the Russian military operation in Syria.

Three small missile ships of Project 21631 of the Caspian flotilla (Uglich, Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug) and the Project 11661K patrol ship Dagestan fired 26 missiles at 11 ground targets located at a distance of about 1,500 km. This was the first combat use of the missile system.

The missile ships of projects 11661K and 21631 included in the flotilla are equipped launchers tactical cruise missiles "Caliber" (according to NATO classification - SS-N-27 Sizzler).

The Kalibr missile system was developed and produced by the Novator Design Bureau in Yekaterinburg on the basis of the S-10 Granat complex, and was first introduced in 1993.

Ground-, air-, surface- and underwater-based complexes and export versions have been created on the basis of "Caliber". Currently different types"Caliber" complexes are in service with Russia, India and China.

Data on the maximum range of only the export version of the missile was officially disclosed; it is 275-300 km. In 2012, at a meeting with the President of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov, Vice Admiral Sergei Alekminsky, who at that time held the post of commander of the Caspian Flotilla, said that the tactical version of the cruise missile of the Caliber complex (3M-14) could hit coastal targets at a distance of up to 2,600 km.

The tactical and technical characteristics of the 3M-14 missile are classified information and are not publicly available.

2019 TASS information agency (registration certificate mass media No. 03247 issued April 2, 1999 G state committee Russian F Federation of Press)

Some publications may contain information not intended for users under 16 years of age.

We have been writing since mid-September that the Russian military-political leadership is preparing for a military operation in Syria. Even then, the necessary armored vehicles, air defense systems, electronic warfare equipment, etc. were transferred to the Syrian Basil-Al-Assad airfield, which is located in the coastal province of Latakia. Repair and construction work at the air base was in full swing: the runway was being expanded, temporary residential blocks for personnel were being erected, new helicopter pads were already ready, and the equipment necessary for flight control was being installed.

Construction work and the transfer of military equipment were accompanied by competent advertising campaign– every replenishment of our military contingent in Syria and a new set of aircraft was invariably followed by an exemplary alignment of equipment along the runway. Exclusively for the sake of a new satellite photo shoot. These photographs were simply a phenomenal success in the West.

Meanwhile, political issues were being regulated in Moscow. In particular, Middle Eastern leaders and high-ranking officials (Turkey, Israel, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia etc.) were notified that the games around the forester’s hut were over, due to the return of the forester himself. Later, coordination centers were established with Iran and Iraq; separately with Israel.

Vladimir Putin’s request and the decision of the Federation Council quite expectedly gave rise to many comments and questions. Let's try to briefly cover the main ones.

What forces have we concentrated in Syria?

At the time of publication of this material in the Syrian province of Latakia there are: a squadron (12 pieces) of front-line bombers Su-24, attack aircraft squadron Su-25, 6 multirole fighter-bombers Su-34, 4 multi-role heavy fighters Su-30SM, 12 attack helicopters Mi-24 and 12 multi-purpose helicopters Mi-17. In addition to aviation equipment, the Basil Al Assad airfield houses about a hundred trucks(including auxiliary equipment), fifty armored personnel carriers, a dozen tanks and an unspecified number of air defense systems, including two illuminated S-300 complexes. There is every reason to boldly assume that the number of Su-34 fighter-bombers will be increased to the squadron level.

It is difficult to say anything about the number of personnel at the airfield, but it can be assumed that it can reach one thousand people. These include pilots, drone operators, aircraft repair and engineering teams, Marine units for airfield security, command personnel, special services, and so on.

What forces will oppose us?

Since in the Russian anti-terrorist tradition there is no such concept as a “gradation of Islamists” into moderate and radical, strikes will be delivered to all militant forces represented in Syria. Today there are about 180 large formations. In the blogosphere, a conventional division into “greens” and “blacks” is accepted. The first receive direct logistical, diplomatic and financial assistance from Western countries, Turkey and the Arabian monarchies, and are designated in the media as “moderate oppositionists.” The latter are represented by the “Islamic State” and “Jabhat al-Nusra”, that is, radical Islamists, from whose direct support external forces formally refused. However, there is no fundamental difference between the “blacks” and the “greens”.

What forces do we support?

Specifically in Syria, our natural allies are:

- Syrian Arab Army(SAA, government troops) - about 180 thousand people;

- Republican Guard(elite military units) - about 25-30 thousand people;

- National Defense Forces(NSO, people's militia) - about 80 thousand people. Consist of representatives of ethno-religious minorities: Alawites, Christians, Druze;

- Ba'ath Brigade(military wing of the Syrian Baath Party) - about 7-8 thousand people. Predominantly consists of Sunni Muslims.

- "Syrian Resistance" And "Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine"(Marxist paramilitary organizations) - about 4 thousand people per couple.

- Syrian Hezbollah, "Arab National Guard» And "Syrian Social Nationalist Party"- about 3.5 thousand people for three. Composition: Shiite militia, secular Arab nationalists and Syrian nationalists, respectively.

- Lebanese Hezbollah- about 15 thousand people.

- Syrian Kurds– about 50 thousand people. In fact, they do not coordinate their actions with official Damascus.

If we talk about external allies, these are, first of all, Iran and Iraq. The rest of the countries are not particularly interested, since they are not represented by their troops in Syria.

Is it possible for our military to participate in ground operations?

There is no practical need for this. Syria has the forces necessary to conduct full-fledged military operations. That is, there is enough infantry that has been fired upon, and it has been fighting since the first days of the then civil war. As mentioned above, we're talking about about at least 300 thousand fighters, of which about 200 thousand one way or another participated in full-scale ground operations against jihadists.

Contrary to propaganda rumors about the imminent demise of the regime due to a lack of human resources, the mobilization potential of government forces is at high level. The first visible sign of problems with filling the army with recruits is the age composition of conscripts, which Germany demonstrated to us at Last year war, when mustacheless youths from the Hitler Youth and gray-haired old men from the Volkssturm were sent into battle. The ranks of the Syrian army are dominated by men and young boys, that is, the age range ranges from 20 to 40 years. It is absolutely unclear what depletion of the army Western journalists are talking about.

Why did we intervene in the conflict now?

The Syrian army and its allied forces (Hezbollah, militia, volunteers and Kurds) find themselves in an extremely difficult situation, due to the activation of a number of regional players. Turkish aviation, under the pretext of fighting the Islamic State, is striking at the Iraqi (partial) and Syrian Kurds, who are the most combat-ready and effective force in this war of all against all. Among other things, Turkish intelligence services and “vacationers” conducted a number of successful operations in the Idlib and Aleppo areas. The American anti-terrorist coalition has achieved some success, which, in cooperation with units of the Kurds and the Iraqi army, pushed out IS militants from a number of areas of Syrian and Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as the Sunni part of Iraq. The vector of application of the forces of the “Islamic State” changed - the jihadists went to Syria, as a result of which Palmyra fell and a number of strategically important objects were captured.

For the Syrian government forces, the activation of Turkey, the United States and the Arabian monarchies was a significant blow. The reasons for the defeats of the Syrians are explained by a critical depletion of resources (a thinning fleet of military equipment and a lack of ammunition) and a feeling of total powerlessness in front of an enemy that is crawling from all the cracks. A successful operation to destroy a group of 150 people, for example, is offset by the fact that a week later new jihadist recruits appear on the same section of the front. That is, the Syrian meat grinder grinds the Islamist evil spirits at extremely high speeds, but the recently departed militants are instantly “resurrected” due to the extremely effective practice of sucking out radical passionaries from all over the world - from India to Sweden.

Thus, resolving the Syrian conflict exclusively by military means simply turned out to be impossible - the Syrian army has limited human resources, but the jihadists are replenished, in particular due to the presence of channels for the continuous transit of militants through Turkey. Accordingly, the need to influence those who provide logistical, advisory and financial support Islamists. Iran is unable to do this and China is not interested. Russia, by its military presence alone, has made significant adjustments to the regional balance of power.

What global goals is Russia pursuing in the Syrian conflict?

Firstly, keep Syria on the political map of the world (not to be confused with the “Assad regime”). If we remember “universal human values”: to preserve the ethno-religious diversity of the country, preventing the genocide of Christians, Alawites, Druze, Armenians, etc.

Secondly, to stop the terrorist threat on the approaches to the borders of Russia - “It is better to fight in Jalalabad than in Ashgabat.” Grind if possible maximum amount militants with Russian Federation passports and former Soviet republics(especially Central Asian). There are possibilities for this - organizational structure Islamist formations are built on the principle of “compatriotism,” that is, on the basis of a common language.

Third, make fundamental adjustments to the American strategy in this region, which we have already written about. There is also a need to besiege the presumptuous Turkish Sultan. The Arabian monarchies are already following the cart, which will be discussed in one of the upcoming materials.

Fourth, snatch valuable Syrian assets: military bases, oil and gas fields, seaports, transport hubs and routes for possible supplies of hydrocarbons to Europe.

What will the participation of the Russian army in the anti-terrorist operation look like?

The goals and objectives declared by the Russian military-political leadership are limited to air support for official Damascus and the units under its control. Not about any ground military operations there is no need to talk. It is likely that the work of Russian military instructors (whose staff has increased significantly in September), artillery coordinators, communications specialists and complex operators is outside the scope of official statements. At least, in the latest photographs from Syria, there were extremely interesting devices that indirectly confirmed the presence of Russian communications and air defense specialists.

In particular, back in mid-September, pictures of the Russian combined radio station R-166-0.5 appeared online. It was alleged that the photo was taken in the province of Latakia, which is adjacent to the province of Idlib, which is controlled by the Green Rebels. The radio station is interesting because it ensures the security of communications over long distances, up to 2 thousand kilometers, that is, the R-166-0.5 makes it possible to establish communications that are not suppressed by electronic warfare.

It attracts attention due to the fact that during the spring and summer of this year, news was regularly received from the province of Idlib that militants were completely suppressing all communications means of the Syrian army. The professional coordination of the “greens” was also noted, who carried out swift and targeted strikes precisely on those positions where government troops experienced either a “starvation of shells” or a lack of human resources. Everything indicates that the actions of militants in the province of Idlib (as well as in Aleppo) were coordinated by Turkish intelligence services, and Turkish “vacationers” were seen in the clashes. The appearance of images of this device on the Internet, apparently, is intended to cool Erdogan’s ardor.

Returning to the work of Russian aviation. It is obvious that our eagles were transferred to Syria not only to strike the positions of the Islamic State. The first day of air raids showed that the “green rebels”, that is, representatives of the so-called “moderate opposition”, nurtured by the West, the Arabian monarchies and Turkey, also came under attack. Here is an excerpt from regular combat reports:

“Latakia. On Wednesday afternoon, the Russian Air Force began extensive operations in the west of the province against Jabhat al-Nusra and Harakat Ahrar al-Sham militants, in the vicinity of Jabal Al-Zaveed, Qassab and Deir Hanna.

Homs. The Russian Air Force worked on targets in the areas of Ar-Rastan, Telbisa, Az-Zafaran, At-Tlul Al-Homr, Aidun, Deir Ful and in the vicinity of Salamiya.”

Thus, on the first day alone, air strikes were carried out on both the “black” (“Jabhat al-Nusra”) and the “green” (“Ahrar al-Sham”). According to preliminary data, which is indirectly confirmed by the Islamists themselves, our aircraft destroyed the militants’ command post, in which at that time there were three “green” field commanders. Not the worst result for the first flights.