Tag: syria buildup

Stratfor releases satellite images of Russian military in Syria

On By AdminIn Russia, STRATFORLeave a comment

Russian expansion in Syria is taking place quickly.

Satellite images taken by Stratfor and published by Reuters show a build up of tanks, helicopters and other heavy weapons. It is estimated now that there is already 500 troops on the revamped air base.

Sources including Debkafile show that Russian troops are also actively fighting in Syria.

Turkey is becoming a logistical pain for Putin:

The increasing Russian military presence in Syria is not considered to be an invasion but once Russian casualties begin to mount its hard not to imagine Putin getting sucked into the vortex of the Middle East.

What is particularly obvious is that Russia is setting up infrastructure for quick access into the middle east through the development of a Syrian airbase.

However while the airbase is expanding its troop numbers via cargo flights, Russia is not allowed to fly through Turkey or Greece and therefore must take a very uneconomical route through Iran & Iraq.

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Interesting to note that Turkey is a logistical thorn in Putins side at the moment as Russia continues to expand in Syria. Pro US Turkey and Greece won’t allow Russia to use their airspace – wonder how long this will last for. Source: Business Insider.

Furthermore all Russian naval cargo is coming through the Bosphorus which is a channel controlled by Turkey. It was recently reported that Turkey threatened to blockade the Bosporus to Russian ships. Imagine if they tried to do that anytime soon!

New Satellite Images of Russias Forward Air Base in Syria

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Latakia airfield in Syria has been built up to accommodate Russian Forces. Satellite images show a build up over the past two weeks. Source: Reuters / Stratfor
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Russia fortifies the Syrian airfield. Source: Reuters / Stratfor
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A battalion-sized Russian contingent now appears to be located at the base, along with advanced T-90 Tanks, artillery and attack helicopter support. Source: Reuters / Stratfor

Recent News:

  • We are tracking Russian expansion in Syria as it happens here
  • Putin offered to guard Israeli oil & gas assets here
  • Egypt discovers what is likely to be the biggest gas field in the world here

The Russian military buildup continues in Syria

On By AdminIn RussiaLeave a comment

Status Report:

  • 15 Russian Antonov-124 flights have unloaded cargo
  • 7 Advanced Russian tanks
  • 15 fresh artillery pieces
  • 35 armored personnel carriers
  • Housing for up to 1500 troops
  • Advanced anti-aircraft missile system

To see the latest on this click here.

“Russia is not concerned for ISIS or Syria”

Business Insider Reports:

“Moscow will reportedly provide Russian troops in Syria with an advanced anti-aircraft missile system as part of its military support for Syrian president Bashar Assad.

“This system is the advanced version used by Russia and it’s meant to be operated by Russians in Syria,” a Western diplomat who is regularly briefed on U.S., Israeli and other intelligence assessments told Reuters.

And as The Daily Beast’s Michael Weiss points out any anti-aircraft missiles deployed by Russian troops in Syria won’t be directed at ISIS, since ISIS has no air force.

In fact, none of the rebels do — only government forces have access to aircraft.

Russia has substantially increased its military presence in Syria over the past two weeks under the guise of helping the embattled al-Assad fight ISIS and other extremists.

US Airforce cites ‘alarming strides’ in Russian air-power.

Reuters reports:

A U.S. Air Force general on Monday cited what he called “alarming” moves by the Russian military to beef up its air forces in the years since the invasion of Georgia in 2008 and to establish firm defenses around areas like Crimea.

General Frank Gorenc, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, told reporters he was concerned about Russia’s moves to increase the quantity and quality of its aircraft and field unmanned aircraft.

“The advantage that we had from the air, I can honestly say, is shrinking,” Gorenc said at the annual Air Force Association conference.

Russia launches massive military drills at home involving 90,000 troops.

Yahoo Reports:

Russia on Monday launched its largest military exercises of the year, Centre-2015, involving some 95,000 soldiers including ground troops, navy and airforce units.

The long-announced war games are “the most large-scale drill of 2015,” the defence ministry said.

Russia has recently intensified snap checks of its military might, testing its capabilities from the Arctic to the Far East as relations with the West have plunged to a post-Cold War low over the Ukraine crisis.

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