Russian airpower reinforces Assad against HTS offensive
Surprised by the jihadist offensive from HTS, Syria, along with its Russian ally, is attempting to halt or slow it down using airpower. Here's what they are using.
The ground forces of Assad's regime have suffered significant losses in equipment, and the only factor that seems to have delayed the HTS fighters' offensive until other units were brought to the Aleppo region is the use of airpower. In addition to the Syrian air force, Russian aircraft stationed at the Hmeimim airbase in Syria are also involved in the operations.
This base previously hosted virtually all types of Russian aircraft, but during the war in Ukraine, it was sparse. For instance, the latest available satellite images from 21 June 2023, captured by an Airbus satellite, reveal that, apart from a few transport aircraft, including one Russian A-50 AWACS and several helicopters, there were three strike aircraft stationed there. One of them is a Su-24, while the other two seem to be Su-30 or Su-35.
One might assume that a similar situation occurred in 2024 since Ukraine is Russia's top priority. It is plausible that reinforcements only recently arrived at the base, possibly with a stopover in Iran, as was the case in 2015.
Air support for Assad
The Syrian air force can use strike aircraft such as the L-39, MiG-23, Su-22, Su-24, and MiG-29, which are typically equipped with pods containing 23 mm calibre guns, unguided S-8 or S-25 rockets, and unguided bombs from the FAB series.
For example, S-8 rockets have a range of about 4 kilometres and come in many variations, starting from the most common high-explosive fragmentation variant through the thermobaric S-8DF, and ending with the anti-tank S-8T with a tandem warhead capable of penetrating up to 400 mm of steel behind reactive armour.
This kind of armament provides only the capability for direct air support actions solely against opponents lacking even handheld anti-aircraft systems like the FIM-92 Stinger or similar devices.
Meanwhile, more advanced tasks such as striking command points must be carried out by the Russians for Assad, utilising munitions like the FAB with UMPK modules that enable precise targeting of buildings or field fortifications. None can withstand a direct hit from a 500-kilogram or 1,500-kilogram bomb.
