2 Pontius Navigator
Yes, Sir - you are perfectly right. Though being in AF for quite some time, I agree that the planes only can never win a war. They can and must be of help, but the ultimate word should be said by the soldiers on the ground.
But, here in Russia all the "zombi-boxes" (TV, radio, web propaganda) shout that the Russian ground troops would never be involved in the offensive ops. Even the local "guy No. 1" said that in the interview. Only some marines are securing the airbases.
As far as I understand, the Russian forces would provide air support to the Syrian army, and the latter will be facing bullets.
This looks reasonable for me so far, because the public opinion here would be very much against that (human losses) and the ruling group would loose the fragile public support they currently have.