Less talk, more action: Russian jets destroy ISIS HQs, tanks, munition depots – all in just 1 week

Less talk, more action: Russian jets destroy ISIS HQs, tanks, munition depots – all in just 1 week

Published time: 7 Oct, 2015 16:22

It’s been a tough week for terrorists in Syria. Over seven days Russia delivered over a hundred airstrikes at various jihadist facilities across the country, reportedly igniting panic among some groups.
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Russian anti-terror op in Syria

According to a weekly roundup by the Russian Defense Ministry, the country’s contingent in Syria has launched some 120 combat sorties over the week, hitting over 110 targets. The bombing destroyed over 71 pieces of armor, about 30 other vehicles, several artillery pieces, 19 command facilities, two communication centers, 23 depots with fuel and ammunition, six plants used to make IEDs, including car bombs, and several training camps.

At least 112 #ISIS objects destroyed by Russian military since start of operation week ago USE_FULL_LINK_PLEASEZbDWJW1hnNpic.twitter.com/UWNRDOwCds

— RT (@RT_com) October 7, 2015
Terrorists on the run
The apparent goal of this phase of the operation is to undermine the militants’ capability to keep the pressure on government forces through constant raids and terrorist attacks, and to give the Syrian Army a breathing space to regroup and launch an offensive.

The targets of the Russian airstrikes were spread across Syria, from ISIS stronghold Raqqa in the northeast to the vicinity of the ancient city of Palmyra west of the Damascus-controlled western part of the country to the outskirts of Damascus in the south.

According to the Russian military, the bombing campaign has hurt the morale of the militant troops, sending thousands on the run.

3,000 terrorists leave Syria following Russian airstrikes – military source USE_FULL_LINK_PLEASETCZIZ4pzVJpic.twitter.com/HVol6Skjl5

— RT (@RT_com) October 6, 2015
Top Guns
Russia’s fleet of jets is varied as well. The core of it consists of well-tried workhorses like the Su-24 frontline bomber and the armored Su-25 ground-support fighter jet. Both planes were designed decades ago, although the Air Force brought the latest upgraded versions for the Syrian campaign.

Newer planes are also there, like the Su-34, which entered service in Russia last year. The Syrian theater offers Russian engineers a test-field to try the plane, which can hit targets from an altitude of 5,000 feet, far from the range of anti-aircraft weapons in the possession of the militants.



The Air Force is employing a number of bombs in the missions, from sophisticated and expensive laser-guided Kh-25Ls and steerable KAB-250s to the bunker-busting BETAB-500s free-falling and affordable FAB-500s. The variety means Russia can strike with pinpoint precision where necessary and bombard with devastating force where no collateral damage would be done.

Mission control
Russia’s Syrian mission flies from a hastily reconstructed airbase south of Latakia. Just a couple of months ago it was an abandoned airfield, but now it sends dozens of sorties daily and hosts not only some of the most high-tech fighter jets on the planet, but also serves as a home for Russian combat pilots, technicians and support troops. Syrian soldiers and officers are at the base to help coordinate the war effort.



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