Washington Post: Anatomy of a Russian airstrike in Syria
After a rapid buildup of equipment and aircraft in Syria, Russian forces began bombing targets across the country Wednesday.
What the Russians targeted exactly is unclear. Though Russian President Vladimir Putin has billed Russia’s presence in Syria as strictly anti-terrorist, he has also made no qualms voicing his support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
U.S. officials seemed taken aback by the strikes, as Russia and the United States had agreed to meet prior to Russia’s first sortie.
Footage from those on the ground suggested that the strikes had hit civilian areas around the Syrian city of Homs. According to Nidal Ezzdin, a representative of the Homs Civil Defense volunteers, the Russian strikes around Homs were interspersed with attacks from Syrian air force helicopters that dropped seven barrel bombs in between the Russian attacks.
WNU Editor: I suspect that while U.S. and coalition air strikes are conducted under strict rules of engagement .... Russian pilots are probably going to be given more leeway on what they can do.