There is bravery and there is bravery

[NutLoose]

Kudos to him and RIP


Russian 'Rambo' wipes out ISIS thugs by calling airstrike on HIMSELF when surrounded by Jihadi forces

[BEagle]

Indeed!

I hope that posthumous award of the Hero of the Russian Federation (Герой Российской Федерации) will be announced soon.

[Wander00]

That is some decision, and outstanding courage. I'm with Beagle on this one

[barnstormer1968]

Sitting very comfortably in an arm chair it would be quite easy to say that he took the easy option and devised a less painful death.
Knowing the real world as it exists away from armchairs etc his decision to call the strike on himself was monumental. This wasn't a split second decision so he had time to way up all of his options and yet chose to overcome the strongest human desire, that of survival. History shows us that in similar situations almost all people choose to hope for saviour or escape.
RIP to him, thoughts for his loved ones. We can only hope that at least one of the aircrew in the air strike was female and if so that the Russians publicise that fact.

My thoughts go out to the aircrew(s) involved here as well. They were given a horrendous task, and one that other aircrew have refused in the past.

[Lantern10]

A true hero in every sense of the word.

[Wageslave]

Assuming, of course, that the tale is true and not just more bolshie propaganda...

[Aynayda Pizaqvick]

To be fair, I'd do the same rather than be taken alive by ISIS and burned alive on TV!

[[email protected]]

If true, then heroism of the highest order - but the chance of a 'red on red' miscalculation can't be discounted.

[flash8]

Assuming, of course, that the tale is true and not just more bolshie propaganda...

The time will come, sooner or later, that we see the Russians as our true allies. Believe me I work with them daily and far more unites us than separates us, there are few others I'd like to have by my side when the **** ****s the fan )))

[tmmorris]

The Russians, possibly. But Putin?

[Hangarshuffle]

Russian military is suddenly receiving articles of a more reflective nature from our wonderful UK press.
Vladimir Putin pounding Syria with deadly arsenal as Russia drives Isis out of Palmyra | Daily Mail Online
Todays Independent also highlighted Russian success in getting ISIS on the run somewhere in Syria..
edited to add the military hardware on display here in the DM is seriously impressive looking. Is it true, you Prune experts? Have the Russians taken a surge forward in all areas?

[KenV]

The time will come, sooner or later, that we see the Russians as our true allies.

I believe that for that to happen, the Russians would have to see NATO as an ally and neither a threat nor a rival. That seems highly unlikely for the foreseeable future.

[uffington sb]

According to the DM article, the SU-24 can climb at a rate if 29,000 feet a second!!!!

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by uffington sb

According to the DM article, the SU-24 can climb at a rate if 29,000 feet a second!!!!

And academics say that Maths is irrelevant to an Arts degree.

Despite the withdrawal of some of the 6,000 military personnel now in country,

How can they have withdrawn them if they are Now in country? Did they return?

[Stanwell]

Originally Posted by uffington sb

According to the DM article, the SU-24 can climb at a rate if 29,000 feet a second!!!!

That'd push you back into your seat, wouldn't it?
Some news for the Daily Fail reporter and editor - that should read feet per minute, dumkopfs.
(Not that I think it would make any difference to the typical DM readership.)

For comparison, the MiG-21 (FF,1956) has a ROC of a bit over 44,000 fpm.
The final version of the English Electric Lightning (FF,1957) could manage 50,000 fpm.
.

[NutLoose]

They have named the guy killed, a family man too


Russian 'Rambo' revealed as dad-to-be Alexander Prokhorenko who bravely called airstike on himself as ISIS thugs surrounded him

[Royalistflyer]

Just for the record, the documents have been released showing that Russia applied to JOIN NATO right at the beginning, but was turned down. My understanding is that they would seriously look at joining now. And yes, I have daily contact with Russians working on the same matters, and in my view Mr Putin is about the only leader I would trust.

[BossEyed]

Originally Posted by Royalistflyer

Just for the record, the documents have been released showing that Russia applied to JOIN NATO right at the beginning, but was turned down.

<Chucks away all my 20th Century history books>

[Tankertrashnav]

The Russians, possibly. But Putin?

I'd go along with flash8. I spent 3 months living with a Russian family and mixing with Russians on a daily basis (not in a military situation). I really got on with them as a people, and on an individual basis I really warmed to them. The trouble is that as a society Russia is plagued with endemic corruption, which stretches right down to having to bribe the lady at the railway ticket counter to sell you a ticket which she has no right to deny you, or producing "documents" (ie a few dollar bills) when you were stopped by the traffic police for some invented infraction of the rules.

I have no doubt this corruption goes right to the top, so my only question is "if not Putin, who?"

[BEagle]

Ignoring irrelevant off-topic comments about corruption, has there been any further news about this incident?

Hopefully there'll be a posthumous award for this brave chap.