Russian aviation may suffer significant losses in the future due to the intensification of Syrian rebels who have access to the Soviet anti -aircraft missile systems. This opinion was expressed by a former security officer of the Security Service of Ukraine and a military analyst Ivan Stupak in an interview for Kyiv24.
According to the expert, the situation in Syria is complicated for the Russians due to the increase in the combat capabilities of the opposition forces. The presence of Soviet anti-aircraft missile complexes, such as the "shell", significantly increases their ability to counteract the expensive high-precision missiles used by the Russian army.
"The worse in Syria, the more there will be a rebel promotion," Stupak explained. "This will create additional pressure on the Russian leadership, which is forced to balance between several military conflicts."
The military analyst emphasizes that Russia is trying to maintain control in Syria at the same time and to counteract pressure at other hot spots such as Georgia. This double threat is strategically vulnerable to the Kremlin.
"If Russia is forced to send additional aviation forces to support Bashar Assad regime, then the risk of losses among pilots and equipment will become much higher," the expert said. Stupak believes that the weakening of Russian forces in Syria can have a positive effect for Ukraine. The more resources of the Russian Federation spend on keeping its positions in the Middle East, the less power will remain for the war in Ukraine.
"Two anti -Russian hot spots on the map are unacceptable for the Russian Federation. The pressure in Syria is a chance for us," the expert summed up.
