Russian deployment in Syria


 * ''See also Talk:Russian fleet in the Mediterranean

Background

 * WORLD VIEW: WITH SYRIA’S ARMY NEARING COLLAPSE, IRAN PLANS MASSIVE TROOP DEPLOYMENT - JOHN J. XENAKIS, 5 Jun 2015
 * ''As we have been reporting since April, the army of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad has been increasingly showing signs of collapse, losing one major city after another either to the Islamic State (IS or ISIS or ISIL or Daesh) or to the al-Qaeda linked Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Nusra Front). The collapse has become so serious that even Russia is considering ending support for al-Assad.
 * The Russian-Iranian-Syrian mutual defense treaty the Western media forgot about - Timothy Whiteman, via The Examiner, September 13, 2015

Observations

 * UPDATE: The Cargo On Russian Landing Ship Nikolay Filchenkov - Bosphorus Naval News, 22 August 2015
 * Another Southbound Passage Of Nikolay Filchenkov - Bosphorus Naval News, 13 September 2015
 * From Russia with Love, Syria's BTR-82As - Oryx Blog, 24 August 2015
 * New evidence proves Russian military directly engaging in Syrian Civil War - Oryx Blog, 29 August 2015
 * These photos suggest Russian Air Force jets and drones are already operating against ISIS in Syria - David Cenciotti, The Avionist, Sep 02 2015
 * First Photos of the Russian Marines Operating Inside Syria - LEITH FADEL, Al Masdar News , September 16, 2015
 * Sighting of R-166-0.5 signals vehicle affirms inflow of Russian military into Syria - Oryx Blog, 16 September 2015
 * 'Satellite image shows four Russian Su-30SM parked in the open air at airfield in Syria', theavionist.com, 20 September 2015.
 * Image appeared on Twitter. It is also said that images were released by Stratfor. SU-30 SM has thrust-vectoring, giving high maneuverability; this is an air superiority plane.
 * A video appear to show four interceptor/fighter planes and a refueling plane in Syria -video. Rusvesna notes that neither side confirmed or denied the report and hopes to clarify the matter later.
 * Su-25 Frogfoots And Su-24 Fencers Arrive At Russia's Burgeoning Syrian Base - Tyler Rogoway, 9/21/15

Pro-Russian sources

 * Russia prepares army for Syrian deployment - Clara Weiss, WSWS, 12 June 2012
 * The Russian army is beginning to engage in Syria - Thierry Meyssan, Voltaire Network, 24 August 2015
 * Russia and Syria: The Die Is Cast - Israel Shamir, UNZ.COM, September 3, 2015
 * ''Now we can confirm that to the best of our knowledge, despite denials Russia has cast its lot and made a very important decision to enter the Syrian war. This decision may yet save Syria from total collapse and incidentally save Europe, too, from being swept by refugee waves. The Russian air force will ostensibly fight Da’esh, but probably (as Michael Weiss guessed) they will also bomb not just Da’esh but the US-allied opposition of al-Nusra (formerly al-Qaeda) and other non-Da’esh Islamic extremists for the simple reason that they can’t be distinguished from Da’esh.
 * Is Russia Preparing Military Intervention to Back Assad in Syria - LaRouchePAK, September 3, 2015
 * The preparation for Russian military deployment in Syria continues - Thierry Meyssan, 14 September 2015
 * Russia is constructing a military base in Syria - Politikus.ru via Saker, September 21, 2015
 * The CSTO arrives in Iraq and Syria, Thierry Meyssan, September 21, 2015

Doubtful comments

 * A Russian military intervention in Syria? I very much doubt it - The Saker, September 01, 2015
 * Russia rejects report of aircraft, troops deployment to Syria - PressTV, Sep 1, 2015
 * Russia Rejects Report of Aircraft, Troops Deployment to Syria - PressTV via ANNA News, 2015-09-02
 * Syria Civil War: The Russians Are Coming to President Assad’s Aid…Or Are They? - Patrick Cockburn, The Independent, 11 September 2015
 * Fox News 'Discovers' Russian Helos in Syria, Despite Pentagon Denials - Sputnik, September 17, 2015
 * We help the Guardian fix some of its reporting on Syria - OffGuardian, September 17, 2015
 * The Big Lie About Russian Forces in Syria - Stephen Lendman, Global Research, September 20, 2015

Western claims

 * Russia Puts Boots on the Ground in Syria - Michael Weiss, The Daily Beast September 1, 2015
 * Russian Moves in Syria Pose Concerns for U.S. - The New Times, September 4, 2015
 * Exposing Russia’s Secret Army in Syria - Michael Weiss, The Daily Beast September 5, 2015
 * This Satellite Image Leaves No Doubt That Russia Is Throwing Troops and Aircraft Into Syria- Jeffrey Lewis. FP, September 14, 2015
 * Russia shipping tanks into Syria, in ‘first clear sign of offensive weapons’ - Lucas Tomlinson, Fox News, September 14, 2015
 * Russia positioning tanks at Syria airfield: U.S. officials ̣- PHIL STEWART- Reuters, September 14, 2015
 * From Donetsk to Damascus - Dmitriy Rodionov, Svobodnaya Pressa, 17.09.2015
 * Putin is turning the Syrian coast into another Crimea - Amir Taheri. New York Post, September 19, 2015
 * Russia deploys 28 combat planes in Syria: US officials - AFP, September 22, 2014
 * ''According to the officials, Russia has sent 12 SU-24 attack aircraft, 12 SU-25 ground attack aircraft and four Flanker fighter jets.

Israeli

 * Russian jets in Syrian skies - Alex Fishman, Ynet News, 08.31.2015
 * Russian Military Forces Arrive In Syria, Set Forward Operating Base Near Damascus - ZeroHedge, September 1, 2015
 * Russia Deploying Air Force Contingent to Syria - Abraham Rabinovich, Free Beacon, September 1, 2015
 * Russia sends world’s largest submarine, with 200 nukes, to Syria - via Debka File, September 7, 2015
 * 'Russia eludes US ban on NATO airspace by roundabout route to Syria via Iraq and Iran', Debka file, September 9, 2015
 * Putin’s offer to shield & develop Israel’s gas fields predated Russia’s military buildup in Syria - DEBKAfile, September 13, 2015
 * Israel adds voice to concerns over Russia's role in Syria - Peter Beaumont. The Guardian, 10 September 2015

Official Russian statements

 * Russia will not send forces to Syria to fight ISIL: Official - PressTV, Aug 5, 2015
 * Putin confirms Russian military involvement in Syria's civil war - The Telegraph, Sep. 5, 2015
 * Putin: Russian Support of Syrian Gov't Averts Deterioration of Situation- Sputnik, 15.09.2015
 * Putin Explains Russia's Syrian Policy - Alexander Mercouris, September 16, 2015
 * Deputy General Staff chief doesn't rule out creation of Russian Air Force base in Syria - TASS, September 16, 2015
 * On September 21, Vladimir Putin will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, kremlin.ru.

US

 * U.S. voices concern to Russia over latest military moves in Syria - Reuters, Sep 5, 2015
 * Potential Russian troop deployment in Syria draws U.S. concerns - Vladimir Isachenkov, AP, Sep 07 2015
 * Obama Warns Russia: Backing Syria Against ISIS ‘Doomed to Failure’ - Jason Ditz, September 11, 2015
 * Why Russia's Actions in Syria Are No Shocker - Rajan Menon, September 15, 2015
 * Syria: What to do About the Russian Challenge - FREDERIC C. HOF, The Atlantic Council, September 15, 2015
 * ''President Obama has committed the United States to a war aimed at degrading and destroying the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL). Russia—with the consent of Iran—has moved to block that effort.
 * Are the U.S. and Russia Now on the Same Page About Syria? - Aaron David Miller, WSJ, Sep 18, 2015
 * US never expected Russian deployment in Syria: Analyst - PressTV, Sep 21, 2015
 * Russian jets in Syria are there to protect own base: Kerry - Daily Star, September 22, 2015
 * John Kerry said the US is ready to discuss the Syrian crisis - Sputnik, 22.09.2015

Turkey

 * Turkish PM rings the alarm, as Russia increases military presence in Syria - Sevil Erkuş, Hurriyet Daily News, September/22/2015

Israel

 * In Moscow, presence of IDF generals sends a message of military urgency - JUDAH ARI GROSS, Times of Israel, September 21, 2015
 * ''In rare move, Netanyahu brings both IDF chief and intelligence head to Russia to drive home concerns on Hezbollah, Syria

Analysis

 * Putin’s Line in the Sand: No Regime Change in Syria - Mike Whitney, Counterpunch, September 17, 2015
 * Putin Wants to Keep ISIS From Power While US Paves Its Way - Patrick J. Buchanan, September 17, 2015
 * Putin’s calculations in Syria - Martin Sieff, The Arab Weekly, September 18, 2015
 * Russia's Options in Syria - Igor Korotchenko, September 20, 2015
 * Russian build-up in Syria puts Israel on the back foot - M.K. Bhadrakumar, Asia Times, September 22, 2015
 * 2,000 Russian Troops Head To Syria For "First Phase" Of Mission To Support Assad - ZeroHedge, September 22, 2015