On Monday, Vladimir Putin unexpectedly interrupted his journey to Egypt, stopping off at Russia’s Hmeymim airbase in Syria and announcing the windup of Russia’s most successful military campaign abroad.



Thousands of combat sorties have been flown, tens of thousands of terrorists and their infrastructure have been destroyed, and hundreds of Syrian cities and towns have been liberated. We have previously published accounts of how Russian pilots, special ops, marines, doctors, and diplomats spent two years helping the lawful president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, hold his country together and rid it of terrorists.

Russia enters the conflict

By the fall of 2015, the war in Syria had already dragged on for four long years. The mass anti-government demonstrations that began in March 2011 had quickly escalated into skirmishes with the military. And terrorist factions immediately “hijacked” these popular protests. Soon, the leading role in the battle against the ruling regime was being played by extremists from the Islamic State, Jabhat Al Nusra, Al-Qaeda, and many factions within what has been called the “moderate opposition” – mainly in the Free Syrian Army that has been so championed by the West.

From the very beginning, Russia provided diplomatic support to Syria. Back in the spring of 2011, Vitaly Churkin, the late Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, vetoed the draft Security Council resolutions being proposed by some Western and Arab countries that were anti-Syrian in nature.
In addition, Russia backed the government of Bashar al-Assad by supplying arms, military equipment, and ammunition, in addition to training officers and providing military advisers.

But as the terrorist organizations and forces of the “moderate opposition” continued to make territorial gains, it became clear that this support was not enough. The Syrian Arab Army was running out of steam. Huge losses, shortages of the most essential materials, plus low morale forced those soldiers loyal to Assad to cede more and more territory, retreating as far as the coastal province of Latakia and the city of Damascus. By September 2015, it looked like Syria’s leader had only a few weeks left in power.

Areas of control in Syria in September 2015

So that month, at the request of President Bashar al-Assad, Russia’s Federation Council approved Vladimir Putin’s decision to move Russian troops into Syria. On Sept. 30, a Russian military operation began in that country.

The composition of the Russian air fleet

The composition of the air fleet often changed in accordance with the tasks assigned to it. Based on the data at hand, at various times it included:

Up to ten multi-role Su-35S fighter jets
Up to four Su-27SMs
From 12-16 two-seater Su-30SM fighter jets
Up to 12 Su-34 fighter-bombers
Up to 30 Su-24M front-line bombers
Up to 12 Su-25SM close-support aircraft
Up to 15 multipurpose Mi-8 helicopters in various modifications
Up to 15 Mi-24 and Mi-35 attack helicopters
Up to five Ka-52 attack helicopters
Strikes were even launched against the terrorists’ base camps from inside the Russian Federation.

Six supersonic Tu-160 missile carriers
Five Tu-95MS strategic bombers
From 12-14 Tu-22M3 long-range bombers-missile carriers
The A-50 early warning and control aircraft, the Tu-214R, and the Il-20M1 radio reconnaissance plane coordinated air operations, carried out reconnaissance missions, and pinpointed targets for the strike formations.

Air and naval activities

Russian aviation really ran the show in Syria. Militant training camps, command posts, weapons and ammunition depots, oil fields, and convoys of gasoline tankers found themselves decimated by massive attacks launched from the Hmeymim airbase, the staging bases for air strikes, and the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. Bombers, close-support aircraft, and fighter planes, taking advantage of their total mastery of the air, managed to destroy more than 100,000 different terrorist facilities. The first wave of the massive air strikes against IS came at the end of 2015. That was when Russian planes pulverized a buried IS command post, underground bunkers, and warehouses in the province of Hama.



During their high-profile mission to “seek and destroy” gasoline tankers, Su-34 fighter-bombers managed to sniff out approximately 500 tanker trucks carrying petroleum products, plus dozens of oil refineries, grinding them into the sand. That was a punch to the gut of the IS war chest, as its main source of income was the illegal sale of black gold.

In late 2015, the Syrian desert was rattled by the most powerful blow yet – strategic Tu-160 bombers, Tu-95MSs, and long-range Tu-22M3s dropped more than three dozen missiles and a multitude of bombs, destroying the command posts of IS detachments in the Idlib and Aleppo provinces, as well as training camps for suicide bombers. In the summer of 2016, long-range Tu-22M3 bombers took off from Hamadan Airbase in Iran and blew out their bomb bays over militant targets in Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, and Idlib. Regular air sorties supported the Syrian operation from beginning to end.



In addition to aircraft, Russia also put its combat ships, submarines, and coastal missile systems to effective use in Syria. Some types of weapons got their first test under battle conditions. In November 2016, to be exact, the Russian military employed its Bastion coastal-defense missile systems to spectacularly obliterate a large warehouse belonging to the militants with the help of its Onyx anti-ship missiles.

In October 2015, the Russian Navy was responsible for a widely reported cruise-missile attack from the Caspian Sea that annihilated militant positions with an unprecedented show of strength. The Dagestan, a missile-armed frigate, and the Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug small missile patrol ships released an enormous swarm of Kalibr cruise missiles that flew over several countries to blow up more than a dozen targets in militant-controlled territory. In June 2017, the Russian Navy’s Admiral Essen and Admiral Grigorovich frigates, as well as its Krasnodar submarine, used Kalibr cruise missiles to inflict a powerful blow from the Mediterranean Sea against terrorist command posts and ammunition depots in Hama province.

The makings of victory

Russian aircraft were able to administer continuous, nonstop strikes against targets belonging to terrorist groups in Syria. From the onset of the military operation until September 2017, over 30,000 sorties were flown and about 92,000 attacks on terrorists were carried out.

Russian planes bashed terrorists with the active support of the most elite force in the Russian military, the soldiers from the Special Operations Forces, who conducted reconnaissance missions, corrected the moves of aircraft and artillery, trained Syrian soldiers and officers, conducted raids deep into enemy territory, set up countless ambushes along the routes of terrorist convoys, and neutralized the leaders of outlaw gangs. The ships and airplanes of the Syrian Express had an important role to play, supplying weapons, armored vehicles, and ammunition to the embattled country. Russian doctors were responsible for true acts of heroism, treating the civilians and servicemen who had suffered injuries in the war.

And a huge role in the resolution of the Syrian crisis was played by the Russian diplomats who set in motion the negotiations in Astana. Those made it possible to establish the de-escalation zones in Syria that are still operating effectively today.

Syrian peace talks in Astana

But of course it was the Syrian people who won the real victory – the Russian military just helped to remind them that the enemy can be defeated even if it enjoys the unconditional support of the West.

What comes next

It was revealed in late November that the Russian forces currently stationed at the Hmeymim airbase near Latakia and the naval base in Tartus would remain there. Their presence will clear the path for Russia to fend off any threat in the Eastern Mediterranean and to thus ensure the strategic parity that guarantees long-term peace in this volatile region. While the Syrian peace process is under its way the situation in the country and around is very fragile. The key game players and war profiteers are still on the ground and they are not to leave the Syrian territory. So the primary goal is to prevent anybody from the “defeated party” to undermine the talks and to secure desperately needed reconstruction programs, renovation and stabilization of normal social, economic and political life in Syria.

Mynd44 push this to FP

The russians are the only peoples on the planet to effectively put down an insurgency - first in their own backyard in Chechnya and now in Syria

So much for obama's claim that Russia is a regional power after annexing Crimea

Russia defeated Nazism and today thanks to that country the backbone of radical Islam is broken.
1000 times Merci pour le travail bien fait.

panafrican:
Russia defeated Nazism and today thanks to that country the backbone of radical Islam is broken.
1000 times Merci pour le travail bien fait.

When you mention the achievements, do not forget the atrocities Russia committed on other European countries. Your celebration of Russia as a saint nation is laughable when in fact many countries suffered under Russia like African countries suffered under their colonizers. Laughable!

Mindfulness:


When you mention the achievements, do not forget the atrocities Russia committed on other European countries. Your celebration of Russia as a saint nation is laughable when in fact many countries suffered under Russia like African countries suffered under their colonizers. Laughable!

Butthurt muzlime spotted

ShinnBet:


Butthurt muzlime spotted

I am not a Muslim but you are definitely a mo.ron.

Mindfulness:


I am not a Muslim but you are definitely a mo.ron.

The caluphate is dead and buried

Get used to it

ShinnBet:


The caluphate is dead and buried

Get used to it

As your brain is.

Mindfulness:


As your brain is.

Next stop is constanipole

ShinnBet:


Next stop is constanipole

What is constanipole?
It is called Constantinople.

You clearly lack proper education and like the typical mo.ron that you are, you are unable to take corrections.

Mindfulness:


When you mention the achievements, do not forget the atrocities Russia committed on other European countries. Your celebration of Russia as a saint nation is laughable when in fact many countries suffered under Russia like African countries suffered under their colonizers. Laughable!

Nonsense.You are hiding the facts that Western Europe tried on several occasions to colonize Russia. and failed. Remember the disastrous defeat Napoleon suffered. He was chased down to the gates of Paris by the Russians and had to abdicate.
U.k. also built a military coalition against Russia. This coalition did not succeed. After western Europe ' s failure to take other this huge land ( Russia) they turned to Africa.
The two most recent attempts by the West to grab Russian territories are 1. Operation Barabarosa ( Hitler ww2) and 2.Nato's attempt to include Ukraine and Crimea during the Obama administration.

panafrican:

Nonsense.You are hiding the facts that Western Europe tried on several occasions to colonize Russia. and failed. Remember the disastrous defeat Napoleon suffered. He was chased down to the gates of Paris by the Russians and had to abdicate.
U.k. also built a military coalition against Russia. This coalition did not succeed. After western Europe ' s failure to take other this huge land ( Russia) they turned to Africa.
The two most recent attempts by the West to grab Russian territories are 1. Operation Barabarosa ( Hitler ww2) and 2.Nato's attempt to include Ukraine and Crimea during the Obama administration.

Selective history reading? The former Soviet countries were Western European countries?

@Professor ShinnBet - The United Snakes of Amerika's empire of ignorance, avarice & belligerence needs to be "Put-in" her place.

Russia, China, Iran & North Korea are chomping at the bit. The future really looks grim for Amerika.

I only pity my very good priend - Lucasbalo

Zoharariel:
@Professor ShinnBet - The United Snakes of Amerika's empire of ignorance, avarice & belligerence needs to be "Put-in" her place.

Russia, China, Iran & North Korea are chomping at the bit. The future really looks grim for Amerika.

I only pity my very good priend - Lucasbalo

Will be in Nigeria in three more days to spend the holidays with my parents. Baba Ijebu, please hold that bomb till I get to Nigeria.

The most powerful man in the world doesn't come cheap like USA presidents

Putin brought great things to Russia
Russia is back to international stage again

seunny4lif:
The most powerful man in the world doesn't come cheap like USA presidents

Putin brought great things to Russia
Russia is back to international stage again

Putin played his game well but while his bank account is swollen, millions of Russians live in poverty.

Mindfulness:


Putin played his game well but while his bank account is swollen, millions of Russians live in poverty.

Have you been to Russia before?
Russians don't sleep on the sleep just like EU citizens
Russians have access to free health care just like EU citizens
Russians have access to cheap Education just like EU citizens



How many US citizens are sleeping on the street?
US doesnt have access to free health care
No jobs security
Nigeria is better than your US
even NK have access to free health care

seunny4lif:

Have you been to Russia before?
Russians don't sleep on the sleep just like EU citizens
Russians have access to free health care just like EU citizens
Russians have access to cheap Education just like EU citizens

I have been to Russia and I have many Russian friends. One of my best friends is Russian. I have a soft spot for Russia. I have lived among Russian folks for quite a while and I got along with them very well even though they tend to be racist on average. Anyway, my personal likes or dislikes have nothing to do with the discussion.

How many US citizens are sleeping on the street?
US doesnt have access to free health care
No jobs security
Nigeria is better than your US
even NK have access to free health care

I am not a fan of the US. I would not want to live there but if I had to choose between Russia and the US, I definitely would choose the US. Life is tough in Russia and that is why Russians, Russian men in particular, suffer and die from alcoholism.

The GDP per capita was around 8,945.64 U.S. dollars in 2016. The GDP per capita in the US was around 57.466,79 USD in the same year.

You people can hype Russia as much as you want due to your personal likes or dislikes but it does not change the fact that many Eastern European countries loathe Russia as much as Africans loathe their former colonizers.

Mindfulness:


Selective history reading? The former Soviet countries were Western European countries?

What is selective is when people try to delete from History the intermittent attacks sustained by the Russians from so-called western European powers ( France, U.K, and Germany ) and present Russia as the villain polar pear.

Mindfulness:


I have been to Russia and I have many Russian friends. One of my best friends is Russian. I have a soft spot for Russia. I have lived among Russian folks for quite a while and I got along with them very well even though they tend to be racist on average. Anyway, my personal likes or dislikes have nothing to do with the discussion.




I am not a fan of the US. I would not want to live there but if I had to choose between Russia and the US, I definitely would choose the US. Life is tough in Russia and that is why Russians, Russian men in particular, suffer and die from alcoholism.

The GDP per capita was around 8,945.64 U.S. dollars in 2016. The GDP per capita in the US was around 57.466,79 USD in the same year.

You people can hype Russia as much as you want due to your personal likes or dislikes but it does not change the fact that many Eastern European countries loathe Russia as much as Africans loathe their former colonizers.

Just like Arabs loathe America
USSR messed up but just like Europeans did in Africa
Just Roman Empire

seunny4lif:

Just like Arabs loathe America
USSR messed up but just like Europeans did in Africa
Just Roman Empire

True.

panafrican:

What is selective is when people try to delete from History the intermittent attacks sustained by the Russians from so-called western European powers ( France, U.K, and Germany ) and present Russia as the villain polar pear.

You were the one on this thread hyping one party like they were saints. Learn to differentiate and some objectivity would go a long way too.

I will take a Russian ahead of American or British people
I have be with people from both side before
Russians are like Italians cos if they like you, they will tell you.
If they dont like you, you will tell you straight.

British and Americans are worst
Killing of black teenagers is common over there

Mindfulness:


True.