Russian military intervention and aid to Syria #8

^ MiG-29s have more than enough range to cover Syrian neighborhood. I think range issue could only be secondary and more to do with availability as the most modern MiGs in Russian service are the 29K/KUB and the SMTs, which are again limited in numbers compared to the Su-XX series that are new and upgraded. Probably that may have been one of the reason why the larger birds were deployed. But hope we some combat deployment of the 29K/KUB in the summer.

As I posted a couple of weeks ago that it might be happening, the Syrian Express has come to a virtual halt with probably only food/ammo and light trucks moving. No LLC southbound for nearly two weeks. Getting a much needed rest.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia will strike terrorist groups breaching the Syria ceasefire even if they claim to belong to the moderate opposition, head of the Russian Federation Council's defense committee Viktor Ozerov said Monday.

"If terrorists disguise themselves as moderate opposition and declare that they have joined the ceasefire regime, while only doing so in order to achieve favorable conditions for new attacks, of course, Russia cannot overlook this," Ozerov told RIA Novosti.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160321/1036658221/russia-syria-terrorists.html#ixzz43X6sJEm4


MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia will unilaterally control the Syria ceasefire starting March 22 if Washington fails to respond to Moscow's proposal on a joint control mechanism, the Russian General Staff said Monday.

"In case of the absence of a US response to these proposals, the Russian Federation will begin unilaterally applying the rules stipulated in the agreement starting March 22," Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi, head of the General Staff's Main Operational Directorate, said. He underlined that military force would only be used in case reliable evidence proved systematic violations of the Syria ceasefire deal by armed groups.

Last month, Russia and the United States reached an agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Syria, which took effect on February 27. The truce excluded the terrorist groups Daesh and the Nusra Front, both of which are outlawed in Russia.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160321/1036652881/russia-ceasefire-syria.html#ixzz43X7MeOOJ

Moscow trying to force the US into a position it clearly does not want to be in, a public joint US/Russian operation.

21.03.2016 (11:58)
Statement of the Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoy

On February 25, the Russian Defence Ministry sent a draft proposal on ceasefire observe and control in Syria through military-diplomatic channels to the US representatives following provisions of the Joint Russian-American agreement on ceasefire in Syria.

The document contains consultation process between the Russian Federation and the United States of America in case of receiving information about ceasefire violations and usage of military force against formations, which violate ceasefire obligations systematically. The Russian Defence Ministry considers that such procedures are to form an effective mechanism for controlling and suppressing potential ceasefire violators in Syria.

Having received viewpoint of the US representatives, the Russian side developed a compromise draft agreement and sent it on March 5. Moreover, the Russian party suggested holding consultations as soon as possible in order to let experts approve the text of the agreement.

However, the Russian-American consultations, which had been held in Amman on March 18, showed that the American party was not ready for particular discussion and approving of the agreement text.

It is unacceptable to drag out agreed rules of reaction on ceasefire violation in Syria. Syrian people are dying every day in course of provocations and shelling attacks.

The Russian party states about its readiness for finishing the work over the document as well as receiving the American delegation in Moscow or holding session in any acceptable place for both sides.

Starting from March 22, the Russian Federation will follow unilateral rules of the Agreement in case of the US reaction is absent.

It is to be stressed that the military force will be used after receiving evidence of systematic violations of obligations taken by armed formations within implementation of the Joint Russian-American Agreement on ceasefire in Syria (February 22, 2016).

Military force will not be used against formations, which follow the ceasefire regime, as well as peaceful population and civilian facilities.

JohninMK wrote:Moscow trying to force the US into a position it clearly does not want to be in, a public joint US/Russian operation.

21.03.2016 (11:58)
Statement of the Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoy

On February 25, the Russian Defence Ministry sent a draft proposal on ceasefire observe and control in Syria through military-diplomatic channels to the US representatives following provisions of the Joint Russian-American agreement on ceasefire in Syria.

The document contains consultation process between the Russian Federation and the United States of America in case of receiving information about ceasefire violations and usage of military force against formations, which violate ceasefire obligations systematically. The Russian Defence Ministry considers that such procedures are to form an effective mechanism for controlling and suppressing potential ceasefire violators in Syria.

Having received viewpoint of the US representatives, the Russian side developed a compromise draft agreement and sent it on March 5. Moreover, the Russian party suggested holding consultations as soon as possible in order to let experts approve the text of the agreement.

However, the Russian-American consultations, which had been held in Amman on March 18, showed that the American party was not ready for particular discussion and approving of the agreement text.

It is unacceptable to drag out agreed rules of reaction on ceasefire violation in Syria. Syrian people are dying every day in course of provocations and shelling attacks.

The Russian party states about its readiness for finishing the work over the document as well as receiving the American delegation in Moscow or holding session in any acceptable place for both sides.

Starting from March 22, the Russian Federation will follow unilateral rules of the Agreement in case of the US reaction is absent.

It is to be stressed that the military force will be used after receiving evidence of systematic violations of obligations taken by armed formations within implementation of the Joint Russian-American Agreement on ceasefire in Syria (February 22, 2016).

Military force will not be used against formations, which follow the ceasefire regime, as well as peaceful population and civilian facilities.

Excellent zugzwang by the Russians - either way the US loses, and Russia gains.

Militarov wrote:

Not safety to have all these mountains around a military Airport

Isos wrote:

Militarov wrote:

Not safety to have all these mountains around a military Airport

Does not look like anyone could have the reach to shoot from those mountains up to the runways. Looks like 10km, no ATGM's, mortars are also unlikely and they have counter batteries with Anti Artillery radars. S-400 makes god coverage against Israel, NATO and other dogs in the desert.

T-90 that was hit by TOW.

Militarov wrote:

Can't remember that dome in a photo before. Assume its a satellite link. Just shows how much extra gear of all sorts had to be brought in.

Isos wrote:

Militarov wrote:

Not safety to have all these mountains around a military Airport

The Invisible People have been seen patrolling the hills.

Interesting point in this article that the Syrians told the Russians that they had 130,000 soldiers available for combat operations but when the Russians arrived found that there was only 25,000 capable of offensive operations. Explains a lot.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1800765.html

franco wrote:Interesting point in this article that the Syrians told the Russians that they had 130,000 soldiers available for combat operations but when the Russians arrived found that there was only 25,000 capable of offensive operations. Explains a lot.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1800765.html

That's because SAA can only count on Alawites to fight. Sunnis defect to rebels side. In Iraq Shia are majority and it is much easier to fight rebels there.

Ka-52 over Latakia

Isos wrote:

Militarov wrote:

Not safety to have all these mountains around a military Airport

1. Alawite heartland is probably safer for Russians than Moscow downtown.
2. That Alligator is right there to make sure nothing is left alone, Both MilMi28 and KA52 first mission is to clear the outer ring of defense wich is a 5KM buffer from Bassel Al Assad IAP.

ultron wrote:

franco wrote:Interesting point in this article that the Syrians told the Russians that they had 130,000 soldiers available for combat operations but when the Russians arrived found that there was only 25,000 capable of offensive operations. Explains a lot.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1800765.html

That's because SAA can only count on Alawites to fight. Sunnis defect to rebels side. In Iraq Shia are majority and it is much easier to fight rebels there.

It is really bad. All this goes to show how terrible is to have most of your army from the sunni
side . Many of them are friendly to ISIS or Alnusra. It was Ziad himself with the connections with the Syrian Army ,who runs SyrianPerspective site. That told a story of how the Syrian
Army was stuck for weeks in an offensive on a town. There was terrorist sniper that was killing many of his soldiers from a far distance. Then a Russian military advisor was called to see what tactics to use to counter the lethal sniper ,that was farming them. Then the Russian specialist
takes his sniper rifle and 2 hours later kill the terrorist sniper to the shock and embarrassment
of Syrian generals. it happened that there was a traitor captain in the Syrian army group in charge of clearing the town ,who was on the side of the terrorist. and was aiding the sniper in the other side how to kill his own team mates. The Generals got the traitor and executed him.

The whole conflict in Syria   IS  a religious war between intolerant Sunnis muslins and Seculars muslin factions friendly to Christians. and that is Fueled by Americans and its Gulf allies with money and weapons and training and advisors they receive. US gov is sponsoring the sunnis ,which helps Alqaeda and ISIS. Is not all Sunnis traitor ,but vast majority of them ,seems to be easier to switch sides to Alnusra or ISIS .  Most of the "moderates" FSA switched side to either alnusra or ISIS.

This is why Russia cannot allow any Syrian Officer or Syrian army on their military base in Latakia. Unless is a high ranking General and even then with distrust ,they need to be watched.
Because muslins many of them see their religion first and country as a temporary thing.

Vann7 wrote:

ultron wrote:

franco wrote:Interesting point in this article that the Syrians told the Russians that they had 130,000 soldiers available for combat operations but when the Russians arrived found that there was only 25,000 capable of offensive operations. Explains a lot.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1800765.html

That's because SAA can only count on Alawites to fight. Sunnis defect to rebels side. In Iraq Shia are majority and it is much easier to fight rebels there.

It is really bad. All this goes to show how terrible is to have most of your army from the sunni
side . Many of them are friendly to ISIS or Alnusra. It was Ziad himself with the connections with the Syrian Army ,who runs SyrianPerspective site. That told a story of how the Syrian
Army was stuck for weeks in an offensive on a town. There was terrorist sniper that was killing many of his soldiers from a far distance. Then a Russian military advisor was called to see what tactics to use to counter the lethal sniper ,that was farming them. Then the Russian specialist
takes his sniper rifle and 2 hours later kill the terrorist sniper to the shock and embarrassment
of Syrian generals. it happened that there was a traitor captain in the Syrian army group in charge of clearing the town ,who was on the side of the terrorist. and was aiding the sniper in the other side how to kill his own team mates. The Generals got the traitor and executed him.

The whole conflict in Syria   IS  a religious war between intolerant Sunnis muslins and Seculars muslin factions friendly to Christians. and that is Fueled by Americans and its Gulf allies with money and weapons and training and advisors they receive. US gov is sponsoring the sunnis ,which helps Alqaeda and ISIS. Is not all Sunnis traitor ,but vast majority of them ,seems to be easier to switch sides to Alnusra or ISIS .  Most of the "moderates" FSA switched side to either alnusra or ISIS.

This is why Russia cannot allow any Syrian Officer or Syrian army on their military base in Latakia. Unless is a high ranking General and even then with distrust ,they need to be watched.
Because muslins many of them see their religion first and country as a temporary thing.

I take everything Zaid says with a grain of salt.

[quote="Zivo"]

Vann7 wrote:

ultron wrote:

franco wrote:Interesting point in this article that the Syrians told the Russians that they had 130,000 soldiers available for combat operations but when the Russians arrived found that there was only 25,000 capable of offensive operations. Explains a lot.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1800765.html

...............

I take everything Zaid says with a grain of salt.

Make that a tablespoon and you'll be about right.

Prophetic words of Russian MP from 2010 about Turkey's aggressive stance against Russia:

That will be an uncomfortable journey. The low level workers clearly did not qualify for a Tu-154 trip. Note the last sentence.

A Russian Il-76 (NATO reporting name Candid) military transport plane carrying 160 material and technical support personnel has departed from Syria to return home, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Wednesday.

HMEIMIM (Syria) (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the pullout of a bulk of air groups from the Arab republic on March 14 after they had broadly completed anti-terrorist objectives.

The servicemen and women who left the Hmeimim air facility performed refueling missions, as well as assignments concerning fuel, water, food and aircraft ammunition supplies. Their other tasks included laundry service and equipment and communications maintenance at the facility. The decision to send them back to their home bases was made as a consequence of a reduced workload after the departure of most air groups from Syria over the past week.

The Russian Defense Ministry press service said the Il-76 was expected at one of the Central Military District airfields late Wednesday.

An An-124 Ruslan (Condor) airlifter is also en route to Russia, carrying equipment and three Mi-35 helicopters that have wrapped up their missions in Syria.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/world/20160323/1036799369/russia-transport-jet-syria.html#ixzz43ifRpAVK

Военный Советник ‏@miladvisor 12h12 hours ago

Su-30SM over #Latakia with 2 R-27 and 4 R-73 AA via @syrianmilitary

JohninMK wrote:That will be an uncomfortable journey. The low level workers clearly did not qualify for a Tu-154 trip. Note the last sentence.

A Russian Il-76 (NATO reporting name Candid) military transport plane carrying 160 material and technical support personnel has departed from Syria to return home, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Wednesday.

HMEIMIM (Syria) (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the pullout of a bulk of air groups from the Arab republic on March 14 after they had broadly completed anti-terrorist objectives.

The servicemen and women who left the Hmeimim air facility performed refueling missions, as well as assignments concerning fuel, water, food and aircraft ammunition supplies. Their other tasks included laundry service and equipment and communications maintenance at the facility. The decision to send them back to their home bases was made as a consequence of a reduced workload after the departure of most air groups from Syria over the past week.

The Russian Defense Ministry press service said the Il-76 was expected at one of the Central Military District airfields late Wednesday.

An An-124 Ruslan (Condor) airlifter is also en route to Russia, carrying equipment and three Mi-35 helicopters that have wrapped up their missions in Syria.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/world/20160323/1036799369/russia-transport-jet-syria.html#ixzz43ifRpAVK

Its not that bad as one might think actually. Its similar to what you can expect in other troop/cargo transport aircraft around.



IL76 seats



C17 seats, sometimes they for very long trips install common liner seating too, but thats only for Trans-Atlantic trips



Like this



And ofc C130 Hercules

Now see what i had pleasure to take few flights on (shot ones tho):



Its Majesty AN26

On the upside there is plenty of room to stretch your legs.

Also, ouch on the An-26.

One of the rare occasions where i thought seatbelts are must have. Coz there is no way you can keep yourself in "seat" on AN26 unless you strap yourself, especially during takeoff and landing.