Russia sends four SU27s to Syria
Syrians in Raqqa tell of 'insane nights' of air strikes - Al Jazeera English
A day old now but some interesting feedback from Raqqa ground zero bombing if you have not already seen this.
A day old now but some interesting feedback from Raqqa ground zero bombing if you have not already seen this.
"We can confirm that there were no civilians killed or injured in the latest French air strikes. "People are horrified and everyone here lives in fear. We are sure that several ISIL fighters at the checkpoints were killed in the air
strikes."
strikes."
Actually, if what he says is true - good!
"Surely some mistake, air strikes always kill civilians in the Mid East when Al J covers the story."
only when Assad strikes with his stupid old planes that can't make difference
only when Assad strikes with his stupid old planes that can't make difference
Lonewolf wrote
They are still upgrading the Backfires in service. The plan is to get about 30 upgraded to Tu-22M3M standard by 2020.
IBTimes have incorrect image of three Su-24 Fencers in their article.
Russia Tupolev 22M3 Bombers Upgrade: Modernized Jets To Be In Service By End of 2015
https://russianmilitaryphotos.wordpr...nized-by-2020/
Looks like they've kept those old birds flying well enough.
Russia’s military is set to receive six modernized, long-range Tupolev-22M3 bombers by the end of the year , Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov told the country’s official Sputnik news agency Friday.
Russia Tupolev 22M3 Bombers Upgrade: Modernized Jets To Be In Service By End of 2015
The spokesman for the Russian air-force, colonel Vladimir Drik, stated that Russia’s long range strategic bomber force will get some of its Tu-22M3 bombers modernized. Approximately 30 of these aircraft are to be upgraded and receive the new title “Tu-22M3M”.
Not sure if this was shown on this forum. On the video you can see briefing at coordination centre at Ministry of defence of Russian Federation. Even if my Russian is a bit rusty - at 12:30 Putin says something rather fascinating to the commander of the Russian Navy cruiser:
"At present time a French Navy group will arrive into your operating area. It is needed to establish direct contact with French and to cooperate with them like allies. The Chief of staff of MoD has to work out the plan of coordinated action with them at sea and in the air. Thank you."
In the wake of recent attacks in Paris this is quite a remarkable statement. Let's see if it is just PR stunt or there will be some coordinated action between NATO country and Russia in Syria.
Even if you don't understand what is said, just observe the body language especially at the end. I am not sure if you saw the earlier video of today where Putin delivered clear message about "we will find and punish the offenders of the attack on Russian Airbus" - this guy really means it.
It is only pity that in our western world politics we lack personality with this kind of bold leadership traits.
"At present time a French Navy group will arrive into your operating area. It is needed to establish direct contact with French and to cooperate with them like allies. The Chief of staff of MoD has to work out the plan of coordinated action with them at sea and in the air. Thank you."
In the wake of recent attacks in Paris this is quite a remarkable statement. Let's see if it is just PR stunt or there will be some coordinated action between NATO country and Russia in Syria.
Even if you don't understand what is said, just observe the body language especially at the end. I am not sure if you saw the earlier video of today where Putin delivered clear message about "we will find and punish the offenders of the attack on Russian Airbus" - this guy really means it.
It is only pity that in our western world politics we lack personality with this kind of bold leadership traits.
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"It is only pity that in our western world politics we lack personality with this kind of bold leadership traits."
Putin can afford to be bold because he doesn't need to get himself elected.
Putin can afford to be bold because he doesn't need to get himself elected.
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Stitchbitch,
For the sake of historical truth, it were the British and US who were the Russian allies during the WWII in Europe fighting against nazi. France was quickly defeated and some units who managed to escape elimination in 1940 then joined the British troops and some even the Russian AF (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandie-Niemen)
As far as history is concerned, the British could make a very useful step by going to St. Paul's Cathedral and "asking" T.E. Lawrence (a.k.a. Lawrence of Arabia) to materialise/reincarnate, return to Middle East and duly organise all those dispersed groups of rebels. This battle against IS and likes cannot be accomplished by air strikes only. Somebody has to do the most dirty and dangerous work on the ground.
Helas, no such great men at the moment...
For the sake of historical truth, it were the British and US who were the Russian allies during the WWII in Europe fighting against nazi. France was quickly defeated and some units who managed to escape elimination in 1940 then joined the British troops and some even the Russian AF (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandie-Niemen)
As far as history is concerned, the British could make a very useful step by going to St. Paul's Cathedral and "asking" T.E. Lawrence (a.k.a. Lawrence of Arabia) to materialise/reincarnate, return to Middle East and duly organise all those dispersed groups of rebels. This battle against IS and likes cannot be accomplished by air strikes only. Somebody has to do the most dirty and dangerous work on the ground.
Helas, no such great men at the moment...
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IIRC Lawrence was actually organising a rebel group against lawful authority thereabouts - (well thats how the Turks saw it)
it was never much more than a sideshow and the wheels came off in all directions when the big boys ignored the insurgents and divided the whole area up post-war on their own terms
it was never much more than a sideshow and the wheels came off in all directions when the big boys ignored the insurgents and divided the whole area up post-war on their own terms
Released by Russian Ministry of Defence from the recent airstrikes in Syria.
Cruise missiles from Tu-160 Blackjack. The caption states
Appears to be Kh-101?
Kh-555 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS Bear H
OFAB bombs from Tu-22M Backfire C
Possible cruise missile malfunction in Syria?
Appears to be remains of Kh-101 cruise missile?
Cruise missiles from Tu-160 Blackjack. The caption states
Pinpoint strike with the newest cruise missile launched from Tu-160 aircraft
Kh-555 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS Bear H
OFAB bombs from Tu-22M Backfire C
Possible cruise missile malfunction in Syria?
Appears to be remains of Kh-101 cruise missile?
Last edited by TEEEJ; 18th Nov 2015 at 14:38. Reason: Additional info added
Obama offers to work with Russia against ISIS under one condition - CBS News
That is precisely what Putin and his folks are trying to do: end the Syrian Civil War, which has been going on for about 4 years ... a permutation on the famously successful Arab Spring. (Oh, wait ... )
That Putin chooses to back someone many in the West don't like doesn't change that objective being behind Russian involvement there.
A note for Mr President: Whomever is writing your speeches and talking points needs a few teachable moments.
I am available, rates to be negotiated in advance of services being provided.
The Russian prime minister said that the best way to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is to unite with the West, and Russia is already coordinating airstrikes with France. While President Obama seems to agree, he said there is a catch: Russia must first help end the Syrian war.
That Putin chooses to back someone many in the West don't like doesn't change that objective being behind Russian involvement there.
A note for Mr President: Whomever is writing your speeches and talking points needs a few teachable moments.
I am available, rates to be negotiated in advance of services being provided.
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In that first video posted by TEEEJ the left-side bomb door [i.e. starboard] looks like a rusting ship's bilges. What am I mis-seeing?
Pretty shocking to see high-altitude / level-profile dumb bombing from the Backfire. Who knows where those sticks landed!
All reference images of the Tu-160's bays suggest an uneven orange/brown bay wall colour. The only thing that comes to mind is some sort of foam for thermal lining & presumably (like expanding foam) it ages unevenly & becomes scuffed / marked over time.
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It was announced earlier (even on TV) that the targets for the previous two days would be oil infrastructures controlled by ISIS.
Well, IMHO it should have been the first targets when US & Co. started striking ISIS, but they were not.
It is well-known that ISIS is making some mln bucks per day by selling oil at half price. All the transportation routes are known, all the companies involved, bank accounts, beneficiaries, etc - everything is known. Why all involved are not being hunted for is not clear. FIFA bribes, US citizens hiding money in Swiss banks to cheat their revenue office - all are tracked and many are behind the bars, but not those buying ISIS oil and financing the terrorists. Strange...
So, dumb bombs were used by Tu-22M3s to destroy convoys of trucks transporting oil (parallel to tubes). It was said that there were up to 500 trucks used for that. Well, in this case dumb bombs (not heavier than 250 kg each) is an ideal weapon to cover a long stripe. The same for the pipelines and refineries - "process" all these are targets with expensive hi-prec weapons is just stupid.
Parallels with Dresden are inadequate. A dozen bombers are incomparable with what was used in the German skies on that day (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombin...n_World_War_II )
As for civilians, well, if you a truck driver working for ISIS you should accept the risk of being torn into pieces at any time. That's a war...
Well, IMHO it should have been the first targets when US & Co. started striking ISIS, but they were not.
It is well-known that ISIS is making some mln bucks per day by selling oil at half price. All the transportation routes are known, all the companies involved, bank accounts, beneficiaries, etc - everything is known. Why all involved are not being hunted for is not clear. FIFA bribes, US citizens hiding money in Swiss banks to cheat their revenue office - all are tracked and many are behind the bars, but not those buying ISIS oil and financing the terrorists. Strange...
So, dumb bombs were used by Tu-22M3s to destroy convoys of trucks transporting oil (parallel to tubes). It was said that there were up to 500 trucks used for that. Well, in this case dumb bombs (not heavier than 250 kg each) is an ideal weapon to cover a long stripe. The same for the pipelines and refineries - "process" all these are targets with expensive hi-prec weapons is just stupid.
Parallels with Dresden are inadequate. A dozen bombers are incomparable with what was used in the German skies on that day (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombin...n_World_War_II )
As for civilians, well, if you a truck driver working for ISIS you should accept the risk of being torn into pieces at any time. That's a war...
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As for civilians, well, if you a truck driver working for ISIS you should accept the risk of being torn into pieces at any time. That's a war...
Agreed, but active measures are undertaken to eliminate or minimise the risk to civilians. How about directly observing the target? If the video of the Backfires dropping the GP type bombs was the actual footage over Syria, it appeared to be totally cloud covered. Not good.
Agreed, but active measures are undertaken to eliminate or minimise the risk to civilians. How about directly observing the target? If the video of the Backfires dropping the GP type bombs was the actual footage over Syria, it appeared to be totally cloud covered. Not good.
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In that first video posted by TEEEJ the left-side bomb door [i.e. starboard] looks like a rusting ship's bilges. What am I mis-seeing?
Lonewolf wrote
Very true.
The Russians have released video of strikes against oil tankers and refineries.
Might that have been shot down by ground fire? I ask because: how would one know to point the camera there?
The Russians have released video of strikes against oil tankers and refineries.