Technicians at Syria's Hmeimim airport where Russian aircraft are deployed. © Dmitriy Vinogradov / RIA Novosti
Reuters: At least seven Russian planes destroyed by shelling at Syrian air base: Kommersant
MOSCOW (Reuters) - At least seven Russian planes were destroyed by rebel shelling at the Hmeymim air base in Syria on Dec. 31, Russian daily Kommersant reported late on Wednesday, citing two sources.
In the single biggest loss of military hardware for Russia since it launched air strike in Syria in autumn 2015, more than 10 servicemen were wounded in the attack by “radical Islamists”, the report said.
At least four Su-24 bombers, two Su-35S fighters and an An-72 transport plane, as well as an ammunition depot, were destroyed by the shelling, Kommersant said on its website, citing two “military-diplomatic” sources.
Kommersant said the Russian defense ministry had not commented. Reuters was not able to immediately reach the ministry.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The shelling at this air base occurred on this same day that these two Russian helicopter pilots were killed .... Two Russian Heicopter Pilots Killed In Syria On New Years Eve (January 3, 2017)
Update: Russia Confirms Syria Attack But Denies Seven Aircraft Got Destroyed As Photos Emerge (The Drive)
9 comments:
Russian rules of engagement seem to be more aggressive than US rules of engagement plus the Russians are doing more to actually engage ISIS and other terror groups than the US seems to be. As such, the loss of the pilots and the helicopters would not be overly surprising.
As for the seven planes being destroyed. I am a bit skeptical. We would need more information. As for the photos, they could be anything and don't tell us much. At this point, I would be inclined to accept the Russian statement on this but, as stated, more information would be needed to make a proper determination.
Haha bposter sure
Either way Putin's gonna be pissed, here comes the rain!
Anon,
What's so funny? It is well known that Russian rules of engagement are less restrictive than America's. The editor has documented this many times.
Admittedly the case of the Syrian "rebels" is a bit less clear. From what is known, many of them are Al Qaeda, ISIS, their various affiliates, and sympathizers. We have done a poor job of vetting who gets our aid. This is documented well enough to reach a reasonable conclusion that our efforts against ISIS, etc are disjointed at best. What does seem clear is few of these rebels are "freedom fighters" nor does it serve US interests to support them. E
Essentially to focus on defeating the rebels is to focus on defeating Al Qaeda and ISIS. As such, it seems entirely accurate to state Russia is doing more to fight ISIS than America is. Please understand this does NOT mean that the Russians are "good guys."
Fazman,
I think you are spot on. Some "rebels" are about to get further decimated.
This bit here is BS: "the Russians are doing more to actually engage ISIS and other terror groups than the US seems to be"
Anon, agreed.
I have to agree with B Poster, the Russians inflicted much heavier casualties on Isis in a much shorter time frame than the coalition.
Whilst the u.s was observing fuel convoys the Russians were dismantling them.
B has a valid point, when you're not hamstrung with 1000 rules of engagement you just bomb and shell the kuka out of everything
faz, I would love to see your stats on your statement.
I read somewhere here on WNU that the US bombed so much that they ran out of bombs. Your, and many others, statements is very bold.
They ran out of smart munitions as they were using expensive weaponry to take out a machine gun position,a $5000 pick up etc then they were reluctant to use iron dumb bombs because of strict ROE and fear of collateral damage.
The Russians had no such qualms and took the opposite approach of mass bombing with dumb munitions regardless of civilian casualties.
I'm no Russian, China, or Nork fan boy ( they would all lose royalty in a hot war against an allied coalition) but credit where it's due and l credit Putins strategic directive and military campaign with finishing this mess off.
Post a Comment