If you’re able, and if you like our content and approach, please support the project. Our work wouldn’t be possible without your help: PayPal: southfront@list.ru or via: http://southfront.org/donate/ or via: https://www.patreon.com/southfront
A Russian military adviser, Alexei Buchelnikov, was killed in Syria by a sniper from the ranks of militants, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on May 2. Buchelnikov was “a member of the group that had been training personnel of the Syrian artillery units.”
Experts note that according to photo and video evidence the Russian military has recently expanded a number of military advisers embedded with Syrian army units as well as intensified efforts aimed at training Syrian military personnel.
These developments came amid a significant increase of the number of US troops and military equipment deployed in the Kurdish-held area in northeastern Syria and embedded with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Thus, both global powers involved in the war are increasing their activity on the ground in an attempt to speed up operations of their allies on the ground against ISIS.
Meanwhile, Russian military servicemen accompanied with members of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) have visited the Runbar refugee camp in the Afrin Canton, a YPG-held area in northwestern Syria. Earlier this week, the camp came under shelling from Turkish military forces.
The visit of the Russian military delegation to the area followed reports that Russia was setting up observation posts in order to monitor Turkish actions against the YPG and population in the YPG held area in Afrin near the Turkish-Syrian border as well as actions of pro-Turkish militants in northern Aleppo. Photos from Afrin also show Syrian flags at the observation posts, confirming the presence of government forces.
The YPG-held areas in northern Syria could be visualized as three separate sections:
- The first is the Afrin Canton where government forces and Moscow have a notable influence.
- The second is the Manbij countryside where government forces, Moscow and Washington have been de-facto operating jointly since they prevented a possible Turkish military operation against the town of Manbij, controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – the YPG is a core of this group;
- The third is the eastern bank of Euphrates where the United States and its coalition have a significant influence and deployed lots of forces on the ground.
This structure of relations formed during the war under the necessity of an urgent need to combat terrorist groups such Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS in northern Syria and now is strengthening amid a constant threat of another Turkish military invasion in Syria that will be aimed against Kurdish militias.
Meanwhile, the SDF has got control over the important town of Tabqa in the province of Raqqah. An unknown number of ISIS terrorists are remaining in the ISIS-held part of the nearby Tabqa dam. In April 2017, pro-SDF and US sources argued that there were about 700-800 ISIS fighters inside the town. However, no photo or videos evidence were released that could confirm that this number of ISIS members were neutralized inside the town. There is a notable chance that a majority of ISIS fighters has left the town of Tabqa via some kind of “open corridor” during the storm.
Meanwhile, the situation became relatively halt in northern Hama. This week, government forces have not made major attempts to reach the important town of Lataminah controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Instead, government forces, led by the 5th Assault Corps, resumed operations in the countryside of Palmyra advancing on the Shumriyah Mountains. This could be linked up with an increased activity of US-backed militants along the Syrian-Iraqi border.
WHERE IS THE RUSSIAN BEAR???
Hey putin! Aren’t you tired of this crap yet? At the snap of your fingers you could end this crap and be done with it in a month or LESS!!!
QUIT SCREWING AROUND AND END THIS CRAP!
At the cost of Russian lives though
No not at all. Putin can have all his troops on guard duty only in all the places that are government controlled. This will release thousands of SAA soldiers to go on the offensive everywhere else in syria…
See, not so hard now is it?
You actually don’t understand internal situation here. The large support that Putin has (~86%) is mostly unconcsious – population just feels that what he’s doing is good for them or at list better than what was done before him. But 70-80% of the governing apparatus is from Eltsin time when Russia was occupied/controlled by now/zeo gang by large %. Not completely thought. Now many of people that were betraing the country still work in government structures. At this point Russia regained only part of its sovereignity – central bank is still controlled by FR and many other examples. It takes time people :) just fiew years ago Russia was in terrible situation (collapse of SU) and now you want it to act as if SU is already back in its full power.
Dude, i’m talking about ending this war with overwhelming power in a extremely strong, decisive blow that russia is fully capable of carrying out…
Not a russian vietnam which is what is happening here… The way things are going, yes, those issue back in russia will be a problem.
But a short, strong, knockout punch, one hit over the course of a month would end this thing and most russian troops would be back home within 2-3 months, just like the same rotation as the RuAF does.
Go look up General George Patton. The most successful tactical american general who was successful not because he sat on his ass all day but overwhelmed everything in his path…
If Russia would ramp up their military operation in Syria, so would US and other countries that support the militant groups there. This would escalate the war on all fronts, prolonging it and quite possibly leading to direct confrontation between major participants.
Russia should act decisively WITH YPJ and therefore the US against ISIS and HTS especially in defense of abortion rights. Such decisive action would not confront the US and would preserve YPJ independence from US.
WRONG. It would lead to Caribbean Crisis 2 and thus the end of the US dominated monopolar world. As Tudor very wisely mentioned – few people nowadays possess this kind of wisdom, especially Russians – Putin is not allmighty and might I add that the Russian people are just slowly waking and shaking off the nightmare from the 90s? Once they have completed their slumber, it is game over and a multipolar world shall arise.
Very unlikely. Russia fell behind in the power race, they have neither resources nor manpower to match US any time soon. All they can do in mid-term future is to carefully advance their agenda in regions where they have local advantage, without direct confrontation.
I think that would happen anyway, better to get it over with sooner right? Lol
Only if your goal is to be defeated. Manuel is correct…and worse, the west knows this is Russia’s situation. Putin is refusing to give them the license they need to ramp up hostilities. Russia will be in a much stronger and survivable position by 2020.
Hope so
There is no cohesive and initiative actor under the vague label of “Russia” to expect ambitious activity from. Just a confederation of corporations making a measured investment in security of bordering territories that otherwise could become outposts of ruthless competitors. Current approach is more than comfortable for them, why should they raise the stakes? They are already bluffing by making any intervention at all.
Sorry, but your perception is based on a lot of inaccurate presumptions. Not that it’s anything unusual even for those actually living in Russia. Try to be more conscious with arguements of people like Miron.
Arthur, Please, let me share a couple of thoughts here (within limitations of my English). Russia does have a national leader (thats a fortunate and rare thing in the world of managers/clerk’s on national governing level) who realises how conseptual ruling works on this planet (it is still the same many centuries). Also we have that “confederation of corporations” (I would like you to give a bit more detailed description on this term) – elites that hold key positions “on the ground” and higher up the power ladder starting from mid 80’s. (One could trace it to soviet elites but another would trace back to Khazarian Kaganat or even ancient Egipt just as easily) – those are elites who (some consciously and some not) participated in dismantling of SU. Collapse of vast country was also rearranging the ownership of vast properties from state to individuals/clans of individuals. Local elites were invited to “integrate” in the west – placing their money in western banks. This way they are well under control. At the end of Eltsin era Russia’s national souvereignity was diminished to very low level. Constitution was written by US consultants, Central bank controlled by FD (this is f$cking written in constitution) was imposed to control money flow/economics, Control over hydrocarbons (energy) was in hands of transnational corporations. There was war on Caucazus (financed by CIA via Turkey, Katar, SA) and army was in shambles – very low moral level, rapidly edging equipment but strategic nuclear forces were still in tact for the most part – at list it was still dangerous not like Ugoslavia (how many do remember this country?). What we had is a state (falling) with its government/elites comlicit with country falling apart while they were allowed to participate in exploiting its resources. That was the situation when Putin was placed in power by the west as a hired manager (that’s who we see governing Europian countries/Eu/west in general – manager’s working for global elites) who’s task was to finish dismantling Russia. Their mistake (choosing Putin) was our to capitalise on :) However we (Russia) have not fully regained our souvereignity yet. I could continue on current state of affairs or on hystorical side starting with imposing christianity “via sword and fire” on Russian land but this text already is much longer than apropriate on this page at this time :)
I don’t believe in “national leaders” or their voluntarism. Putin wasn’t even good enough to keep his wife. “Kremlin’s Towers” don’t deserve to be called elites, but it would be too disrespectfull (of Russia being run by them) to call them gangsters – so they are “corporations”.
>who realises how conseptual ruling works on this planet (it is still the same many centuries) It’s all pointless without a historical project. And even if Putin had one, his compromises would collapse it from inside long ago.
Looking at hystory I do believe in national leaders – individuals who had significant impact on hystory. After all it is always a personal choice. I can give examples. When I say “elites” I refer to ruling class. There’s also global elites and local/national elites and it is very entertaining to watch their current fight in US. “Not good enough to keep his wife?” One will agree and another would say that showed an example of peacful departure of two individuals which didn’t see a valid reason to keep together? Let us start with why would you think that “keeping his wife” would be good? “his compromises would collapse it from inside” – it seems that you’re talking about something specific – some kind of your view/idea. Would you please give more detail on “historical project that would collapse”?
>When I say “elites” I refer to ruling class. There is no ruling elites in Russia and those who rule don’t represent interests of any “class”.
>peacful departure of two individuals which didn’t see a valid reason to keep together They both pretended to be pious orthodox christians, so either their whole marriage was a lie or they are no christians and deserve zero respect because of their pretence.
>it seems that you’re talking about something specific – some kind of your view/idea How can I imply something specific if I outright state that Putin and his “team” are incompatible with big projects whatsoever? I’m not saying they declined some project that would be benefitial for Russia or that such things even currently exist, no. Those people are not even cut out to make such decisions and that’s what I started with – they don’t even have enough self-awareness on syrian conflict scale, let alone historical.
“There is no ruling elites in Russia and those who rule don’t represent interests of any “class”.”(c)
What I call elites are individuals that are in ruling/commanding positions in government/business etc.
“They both pretended to be pious orthodox christians, so either their whole marriage was a lie or they are no christians and deserve zero respect because of their pretence.” (c) Christian/Bible project based on “Old Testament” – did you read it? Religions are used (1st priority of conseptual ruling = methodology) to control population. This is perfect example of how “Global predictor” is ruling – imposing on others the rules that he never adher to himself :) Remember those “values”? One thing about Christianity – do you know that “unconcsious mind” doesn’t understand words “no, don’t” etc?
“I outright state that Putin and his “team” are incompatible with big projects whatsoever? I’m not saying they declined some project that would be benefitial for Russia or that such things even currently exist, no. Those people are not even cut out to make such decisions and that’s what I started with – they don’t even have enough self-awareness on syrian conflict scale, let alone historical.”(c)
I’m far from idealising Putin but simply look at state of Russia in 2000 and now. That simple.
I think that you mentioned (some time ago) another forum where you were discussing things with some Russians? Would you mind sharing a link?
Ты это, флудить заканчивай. Пошли в личку, Скайп, там, а лучше Viber. Кинь контакты на tur1537@gmail.com или на худой конец в Hangouts добавь.
“How can I imply something specific if I outright state that Putin and his “team” are incompatible with big projects whatsoever?” This is probably the most incomprehensible statement you’ve made yet. You apparently disregard the recomposure of Russia’s strategic, economic and military ability/stature. If this is your estimation of Russia/Putin, god only know s what you think of the western situation and leaders, as they are the epitome of uncoordinated, disconnected and self serving, to the point of self destruction, idiotic decisions entailing disastrous results. Most, if not all your arguments are inaccurate, if not totally nonsensical. To the rest of the world, Putin has more on the ball than all western leaders combined. Your statements are more predicated on bias and lack of knowledge than any facts.
Listen… Russia is much more than a country and Putin’s responsibility is much more than that of a hired manager for goverment. I don’t deny his achievements, but there is no point in noticing only them. Putin made some significant mistakes and missed several unique opportunities, of which Miron is aware, so we were talking as fellow Russia residents without touching topics typical for dissidents and stuff.
Putin was a hero his first term. Second term he was a decent administrator, but that’s it. He still kept IMF satraps in Ministry of Finances and Bank of Russia. He didn’t stop oligarchs plundering soviet legacy and moving funds abroad. He didn’t offer nation a project to live for. Yeah, and then he made Medvedev his successor, what a brilliant move.
He won us some time, sure, but he didn’t reverse the impeding catastrophe. Russia is still on the brink of civil war and disintegration. And now we are also in a Cold War we didn’t prepare for, so much for a “national leader”.
Very poor arguments…especially the wife comment. No relevance whatsoever. For a leader (Putin) and a country (Russia) to have come back to the state they are now in, compared to where the western vultures had lead them, is remarkable. The western peoples only wish they had a leader that was even half as effective. The corporations in the west (corpgov) are no more than gangsters and have been called that more than once on comment boards.The Russian economy, even under attack, is more robust and on much solider ground than any western nation. When you compare economic circumstances, the west is far behind. Every economic attack by the west has only strengthened the Russian country and peoples resolve. Production is on the rise there, while in the US, it is all but gone. It took a real leader and not a corporate shill to accomplish that. Add to that the fact that Putin has had to deal with the duplicitous rulings and sanctions, not to mention physical attacks on Russian interests and entities at the same time. What you do or don’t believe is irrelevant, the results are tangible, real and readily apparent…at least to most.
How did the west choose Putin? He is not bowing to them so I dont understand this
At the time when Eltsin passed the power to Putin Russia was under firm control of “west”. Eltsin retired before his presidential term ended and assigned Putin “as vice president” (rough translation). So Putin first came to power in Russia as “hired manager” who’s task was to finish dismantling what was left. He acted differently – we can see the consequences now.
Max, let us agree to disagree here :) First, hystory shows that there’s no end to this war… Decisive blow even if it means complete extermination of each and every ISIS/Al Qaeda/FSA etc., etc member would not end the war in Syria nor would it end the war over middle east or war over Earth/Humanity in general. Again – military force is only 6th priority of how conseptual ruling is implemented on this planet. 6th priority is most rapid in terms of action but list lasting in terms of consecuences. Look at broader picture – both geography and time.
Yes, that is the approach the US and NATO would like to see…full out and out war. Putin is turning world opinion, albeit slowly. The blinders are not yet off the sheeple worldwide. There are still pockets of extreme stupidity that would allow the neocon/Zionist cabal make more claims of slaughter to try and enable them to take more punitive actions against Russia. Putin is doing just fine. We are uncomfortable with his moves only because we are used to watching a controlled reality show aka western militarism. He is helping the Syrians consolidate their victories and increase stability. There have been a few hiccups, but that is to be expected when you have to deal with murders, thieves, liars and backstabbers. Going whole hog on Syria would only feed the western propaganda and help them demonize Russia even more. Why help your enemies? Look at the way Russia handled Turkey. Yeah, they could have been really vindictive and refused to talk with Turkey and even attack them on the grounds that they were retaliating to being attacked, but would that have driven a wedge between Turkey and NATO? Playing the long game is at times deceiving as to progress, but to win the war (and peace) and not just the battle is the goal, especially if one would like to avoid more conflict. Russia has very good new weaponry, but not enough to withstand a continued conventional concerted effort by the west. Russia also needs time to bring even newer and more robust systems online and yet be able to supply enough to be effective in any encounter. Russia is not at that point yet. Russia has helped the west shoot themselves in the foot, which is giving Russia the time they need. Russia has done in 2 years in Syria what the US claimed it did in Iraq in ten(fail)…and without slaughtering the population and decimating their own military…which will help their relations in the area after the conflict. Russia needs to be given credit for their accomplishments and their restraint…which is in sharp contrast to the tactics and long term results of the US.
Seriously!! I used to love Putin and think he was the best but I’m feeling now he is being way too soft and forgiving, maybe even afraid of the other players in this whole thing. If I were him I would pour in as much as needed to end this thing asap, get the Saudis and Israel to fuck off, down all further attacking Israeli jets into Syria, and really stop putting up with their crap. I’m hoping he has better plans in his mind but whatever they are, its taking too long I think. The terrorists aren’t gonna wait around forever
The game of throne. The US first sent its proxies and spies as ISIS to Syria to controls the Syrian land, create new groups like Nusra front, FSA, New SA and then ISIS should spread threat to be labeled as terrorists, then US army will come to take the land from ISIS and further you know what would happen to Syria.
How many people displaced, tortured, suffered, wounded and murdered. The country entire infrastructure destroyed. Billions of Dollars of damages have been given to Syrian nation. This was a clear US conspiracy.
Is this fault of president Dr. Bashar Al Assad or of Barack Obama?
Assad’s fault for banning abortion unlike Russia, yes. More people than water made war inevitable.
Jonathan Cohen “…Assad’s fault for banning abortion unlike Russia, yes….”
Nothing personal, its the fault of your own people, assuming you’re one of their own.
The US Terror Axis is controlled by Neoconservatives of Khazar origin who lack basic humanity, creating wars, conflicts and chaos which come naturally to these people due to their lingering Neanderthal genetic admixture.
Fact: The May 6, 2010 issue of Science, Journal of the American Academy of Sciences, has finally confirmed that modern human populations have significant Neanderthal genetic admixture.
This study by the Max Planck Institute of Leipzig under the overall leadership of Dr. Svante Paabo also included some researchers from the Harvard University School of Medicine.
The Khazar propensity of aggression, war mongering, creating conflicts, mendacious, avaricious, manipulative and conniving behavior is explained by one of their own, Michael Bradley.
“Chosen People From the Caucasus” by Michael Bradley. http://www.michaelbradley.info/
Bradley writes of his research and controversy that erupted when many media outlets which had previously hailed his writing on the topic of the Neanderthals came to realize that his work pointed toward Neanderthal origins of the Khazars.
I’m anglo/german/scottish. My name is german, Ditmore.
For any concerned SF reader you might as well be Shlomo Babykiller, no one would notice the difference. Except maybe for decent jews offended by being associated with you.
I turned against Israel when they also banned abortion and now hope YPJ advances include taking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Jonathan Cohen “…anglo/german/scottish….”
Wish you well.
PS. Sir Malcolm Rifkind is also a Scot.
So you love to kill baby (foetus) in the mother body? If mother life is in threat then its OK other wise it is not allowed, only beast can kill a baby.
I would recommend a coat hanger. Primitive but does the job.
Stephen
The US Terror Axis is controlled by Neoconservatives of Khazar origin who lack basic humanity, creating wars, conflicts and chaos which come naturally to these people due to their lingering Neanderthal genetic admixture.
Fact: The May 6, 2010 issue of Science, Journal of the American Academy of Sciences, has finally confirmed that modern human populations have significant Neanderthal genetic admixture.
This study by the Max Planck Institute of Leipzig under the overall leadership of Dr. Svante Paabo also included some researchers from the Harvard University School of Medicine.
Definitely Obama, beta yah u, Saudis, Rothschild’s, that whole group of bastards
When publishing these article why do they mention that the US is fighting ISIS when it is common knowledge that they are not but actually supporting ISIS, plenty of evidence that can verify US assisting ISIS. Fake information creep, not good and maybe some proof reading and censoring on misleading and misinformation would go a long way in eliminating fake news and information.
They are fighting them AND supporting them, when and where it suits them. For US, ISIS is entry ticket into Syria so they can deploy military in the name of fighting terrorism, push them out and keep the occupied land. They support them where they need them to hold the line (for example against SAA). They destroy them where they need to further their own agenda (al-Raqqa, Mosul).
Manuel Chrut “…Mosul…”
The US is well known for creating fake as well as fantasy news.
Nothing to stop the US going beyond that and start play acting the fake and fantasy news.
Mosul appears to be a US, ISIS scam, the US and Iraqi forces appear to be play acting a conflict.
Right from the start of the Syrian “uprising”, the protests were play acted with protesters thumping their chests like apes and gorillas, banging drums, carrying RPG rifles, women, children in their crowd with little children sitting on their fathers shoulders.
That activity was all in one on the regular pay to play scenes of protesters.
When the US realized those type of “faked” protests raised questions, suddenly the MSN stopped showing them.
Manuel, ISIS is irregular armed forces of “NewWorldOrder and Co”. Until recently they used taliban/Bin Laden to fight Russians in Afganistan, they used them again to have a reason to invade in Afganistan, than they used this very forces to start Arabic spring mess all over the Middle East – Egipt, Libia, Syria, Iraq as a base to this irregular forces. When you see US pounding the “wolfs with sheep brains” a little here and there just take a look at broader picture. The broader the picture the better will be your level of understanding – both geografically and in time. Remember NWO is not new y any means :) This energy operates presumably from ancient Egipt and it planes for hundreds and even thousands of years. Fragmented (kaleidoscopic) consciousness of human beings is what they use to rule this world. Judaism/Christianity/Islam may look as competing religions when in fact they are used by the same force to control the planet. People rarely understand how ruling works. Military force is just 6th priority of conducting effective ruling.
Fragmented kaleidoscopic consciousness what? Can u elaborate on this?
I will try (within limitations of my English) – that’s about looking at separate events without seeing a full picture. Both geographically (events happening in different regions of Earth) and in time (hystory).
John Mason Entirely, 100% in agreement with you.
Ahh, yes…quite right. But it keeps the sheeple guessing right? Can’t you just hear the Fox talking head say that no one believes that we would be fighting our own forces? Besides, it keeps the game going, in hopes that they may yet be able to capitalize on a mistake. Gee, I wonder why Putin is doing things the way he is? Fake news isn’t going anywhere any time soon, it is part and parcel of the wests arsenal. Common sense and critical thinking are the weapons to fight this phenomenon. This is Putins strength and the wests deficit.