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Russia Digging In for Long Haul in Syria
(Defense News) Matthew Bodner - Russia is gradually surging its force strength in Syria. When Russia began air operations in Syria on Sept. 30, the contingent deployed to a Syrian air base in Latakia featured 30 fixed-wing aircraft and 20 helicopters. But "things on the ground are not going well - Assad's army is tired, the Iranians are not very skilled and the rebels they are fighting are quite experienced," said Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies in Moscow. After six weeks, Russia doubled the size of its air group, bombing targets in Syria with 25 long-range bombers from an air base in southern Russia. The size of Russia's naval force off the coast of Syria has also doubled to include 10 ships, including the Moskva guided missile cruiser, outfitted with air defense systems that also cover most of Syria, and ships carrying Kalibr cruise missiles. Up to 5,000 Russian personnel are now reported to be in Syria.