September 30, 2015 · Latakia / nationwide Theater
September 30, 2015
On September 30, 2015, Russian aircraft operating from Hmeimim air base near Latakia began conducting airstrikes in Syria — the first Russian combat operations outside the former Soviet Union since the Afghan War. Putin framed the intervention as targeting ISIS, but the vast majority of early strikes hit other rebel groups in Idlib, Hama, and Homs provinces where ISIS had no presence, making clear that Russia's primary goal was to stabilize the Assad government rather than defeat jihadism. The intervention introduced Su-24, Su-25, and Su-34 aircraft, cruise missiles fired from Caspian Sea ships, and eventually Su-57 fighters. Russian involvement — combined with Iranian-backed militia reinforcements — reversed Assad's declining military fortunes almost immediately, enabling the Aleppo offensive and ultimately preserving the regime.
Commanders