Russia's Military Campaign In Syria -- News Updates October 25, 2015

USA Today: Harsh conditions are foiling Russian jets in Syria

WASHINGTON – Russian warplanes sent to Syria to back the regime of Bashar Assad are breaking down at a rapid rate that appears to be affecting their ability to strike targets, according to a senior Defense official.

Nearly one-third of Russian attack planes and half of its transport aircraft are grounded at any time as the harsh, desert conditions take a toll on equipment and crews, said the official who was not authorized to speak publicly about sensitive intelligence matters.

The Russians appear to be having difficulty adapting to the dusty conditions, and the number of airstrikes they have conducted seems to have dipped slightly.

Russia's Military Campaign In Syria -- News Updates October 25, 2015

Russia's resurgent military shows its prowess with Syria air campaign -- FOX News/AP
New Russian military might on full display in Syria -- AP
US Journalists in Awe of Living Conditions at Russia’s Airbase in Syria -- Sputnik
Russia shows off its state-of-the-art military jets as it is accused of killing 46 members of one family including 32 children in single Syria air strike -- Daily Mail
Rights group: Russian airstrikes in Syria may have killed dozens of civilians -- CNN
‘Russia after terror groups in Syria, only hitting confirmed targets’ – MoD to RT -- RT
Russia said to redeploy special-ops forces from Ukraine to Syria -- FOX News/WSJ
Russia Deploys Elite Special Forces From Ukraine To Syria -- HNGN
Free Syrian Army rebels reject Russia's offer for military support -- UPI
Syria conflict: FSA rebels reject Russia military help -- BBC
Syria's President Assad ready for early elections - Russian delegation to Damascus -- RT
Assad's priority to defeat 'terrorism' before elections: Russian lawmaker -- Reuters
Russia defies recession to fund Syria conflict -- Financial Times