More Russki high-end gear shows up in Assadland
Well, it seems there is some confirmation that some Russian (manned?) Su-30SM aircraft (the multirole derivative of the Su-27 Flanker) are on the ground in Syria. Originally labeled as the older type, they are now believed to be the improved Su-30M dubbed the Flanker-C by NATO.
As the satellite imagery shows, the aircraft were parked next to the threshold of runway 17L, on the northern side of the airport: this is quite interesting as the airbase has no hardened shelters and the aircraft are in the open air, exposing them to satellites and spyplanes, and making them a possible target to attacks from outside the airfield.
The arrival of the Russian Air Force
NavySu-30s and the official confirmation by the Pentagon, brought speculations that Russians may already be operating in Syria to an end: according to the U.S. defense officials, so far, four Su-30s, two Mi-24 gunship helicopters and two Mi-17 Hip utility choppers have deployed to Latakia.