"That deployed in Syria by the Russians is a protective force." This is what Secretary of State John Kerry said a few hours ago, commenting on the new satellite images (photo below). Intelligence company IHS Jane acquired the images from a commercial division of the Airbus Group.
We know that Moscow fortified the base of Latakia, on the Mediterranean coast of Syria and the port of Tartus. The defensive perimeter would now be extended to two strongholds: the Al-Sanobar military base, seven kilometers north of Latakia and the Istamo storage complex, three kilometers westbound.
The new images show an increase in activities for the creation of command and control posts. One of the structures is adjacent to a ground-to-air missile device.
The Bassel al-Assad International, airport at 20 km south of Latakia, on the Mediterranean coast of Syria is connected to the main port of the country, the latter protected by five warships. The airport is home to twelve Su-24 Fencer tactical low-level bombers, twelve Su-25 Frogfoot ground attack and support aircraft, four Su-30SM fighters and fifteen heavy attack helicopters: among these are the Kamov Ka-52 'Alligator'.
In the past few hours we had promised you a detailed analysis of the Kamov and the units connected to it. Since the first interventions in Syria, we have imagined the moves of the Russians so to speak and, until today, we have always been lucky to get them all right (which is why we have been taken up by numerous national and foreign press organizations).
Returning to the Kamov. His arrival in Syria hides more. The Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopter, a two-seater variant of the Ka-50, debuted at the Paris Air Show on June 17 last year. The Ka-52 Alligator was built using state-of-the-art technology, with avionics and a last-generation war load. The widespread use of composite materials, at the same time guarantees a high level of flight safety.
The Ka-52 Alligator is an all-weather combat helicopter, with a unique feature: it has been designed to support the operations of the Russian authorities and the Russian secret services (GRU). Despite having numerous Mi-28N 'Havoc', Moscow has opted for a rotor force consisting of transport and attack helicopters. And despite the small number of specimens available, the Russians wasted no time in deploying the Alligator. The Ka-52, therefore, would confirm the entry into service of the 'Vympel' (special forces unit under the orders of the Russian secret services, ed). If this analysis of ours were to prove correct, the specnazes would only wait for an order from Putin to take action.
Finally, the Alligator is a monstrous machine, designed to withstand impacts from 23 mm: an ideal platform, therefore, for Close Air Support and coverage of the extraction of the units. The Russians also have nine third-generation T-90, 35 BTR-82A and 500 soldiers in Syria.
The Bassel al-Assad International is also used by the Kremlin for all reconnaissance and attack missions of drones deployed in Syrian territory.
Kerry added. "We do not know the real Russian intentions, but we know that they want to eliminate radical Islamic groups such as the Islamic State. The Russians make up the majority of foreign fighters outside the Middle East who fight ISIS ”. Since the start of the civil war in Syria, the United States has supported the moderate Syrian opposition, demanding Assad's resignation. Russia, on the other hand, recognized Assad as the only legitimate authority of Syria. Moscow is not just trying to support the Syrian government, but also to expand its role within Syria so that it can influence the choice of a new government in case Assad is overthrown.
Meanwhile, the Russian media praise Putin's international politics. The headlines (near the Kremlin) headline today "The army has begun to crush the militants of the Islamic State".
Moscow, meanwhile, has the first target to hit. The rebel group Jaish al-Islam has declared war on Russia. In a video released a few hours ago (frame left), the militants of the group resumed while "carrying out" an attack against the Bassel International Airport. The rebels claim to have launched missiles against Russian cargo ships. Obviously there is no evidence of such an attack. The Kremlin has no loss.
And the Isis?
Al-Baghdadi continues to maintain a low profile. The Russians have shown that they do not depend on the consent of the international community to attack an enemy.
(photo: MoD Russian Federation / web)
