Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Russia's Most Syrian Adventure #61


In the last 48 hours, the Russians have hit 424 different targets.  In comparison, the US led forces hit 28.   Through Christmas, Russia has flown a total of 5,240 sorties and hit multiple targets each time.  Their average has been about 3 air strikes per sortie.  They have hit somewhere between 15,000 and 18,000 targets.  The Allied strikes have been around 20 per day and should come out to be 1,800 in the same time frame.

The Russians are claiming their air strikes have reduced the rumored export of oil by IS/Daesh to Turkey.  The ironic bit is Anonymous, the group I rolled my eyes about their fictional role in that awful book, Ghost Fleet, has declared "war" on Turkey for the rumor of buying the oil.

The Russians acted on intel and hit a specific target in Raqqa with an Su-34.  This was supposedly a meeting of top Daesh/IS leadership.  The US Allies led a similar strike as well.

The Assadites have been making gains with the help of the Russian air cover.  Things are looking bleak for a non Assadite Syria.

The Russians have made it clear they will not stop their air strikes if a ceasefire is negotiated in Syria.  This does not bode well for any sort of peace.  I do understand the POV there's no ceasefire possible with IS though.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims Russia has killed 2300 people with its air strikes since the start of their campaign supporting Assad, including almost 800 civilians and 180 children. Russia, of course, rejects the accusation. Amnesty International has stated the Russian strikes in Syria are war crimes.  You can imagine the Russian reaction.

(an aside: Russia claimed to be cooperating with the Taliban (!) against IS/Daesh in Afghanistan.  The Taliban denied this claim very, very fast)

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