Russian Su-25 attack aircraft flew from Hmeimim in Syria as part of Moscow's 2015 intervention, providing close air support and strike sorties for the Syrian government and allied forces.
| Claim | Sources |
|---|---|
| Russian forces deployed Su-25SM/UB attack aircraft to Hmeimim for the Syrian air campaign. | Sources: RAND Russian Air Campaign, CNA Russian Air Campaign Preliminary Analysis |
| Russian Su-25s flew close-air-support and strike sorties for the Syrian government-side campaign. | Sources: RAND Russian Air Campaign, TASS Su-25 Syria Sorties |
| A Russian Su-25 was still operating over Idlib when one was shot down on February 3, 2018. | Sources: Defense Post Idlib Su-25 Shootdown |
Timeline
CNA reports that a squadron of twelve modernized Su-25SM attack aircraft arrived at Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia during the Russian buildup.
RAND treats the initial Russian air wing as including twelve Su-25SM/UB strike aircraft for close air support when Moscow began air operations in Syria.
Sources: RAND Russian Air Campaign
TASS reported a Russian military district commander's statement that Su-25 aircraft had flown more than 1,600 sorties and dropped about 6,000 bombs during the Syria operation before returning from Hmeimim.
Sources: TASS Su-25 Syria Sorties
The Defense Post reported that a Russian Su-25 was shot down in Idlib province and that Russia's defense ministry confirmed the aircraft was lost in the Idlib de-escalation zone.
Sources: Defense Post Idlib Su-25 Shootdown
Russia deployed Su-25SM/UB attack aircraft to Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia before the start of its September 2015 air campaign in Syria. RAND identifies the initial Russian air wing as including twelve Su-25SM/UB strike aircraft assigned to close air support, while CNA's campaign analysis describes a squadron of twelve modernized Su-25SMs arriving at Khmeimim on September 19, 2015.
The aircraft were used by Russian forces on the Syrian government side. RAND describes Su-25 aircraft supporting regime operations in northwest Syria, and a Russian military district commander told TASS in March 2016 that returning Su-25 crews had flown more than 1,600 sorties and dropped about 6,000 bombs during the Syrian operation.
Sources: RAND Russian Air Campaign, CNA Russian Air Campaign Preliminary Analysis, TASS Su-25 Syria Sorties
The Su-25's Syrian Civil War record begins with the Russian air group buildup at Hmeimim in September 2015, followed by combat sorties during the first months of intervention and a partial withdrawal in March 2016. The type remained associated with Russian operations in Syria after that first deployment cycle, including the February 2018 loss of a Russian Su-25 over Idlib.
Sources: CNA Russian Air Campaign Preliminary Analysis, TASS Su-25 Syria Sorties, Defense Post Idlib Su-25 Shootdown
The Russian Su-25s fit the early Syrian air campaign's emphasis on tactical aircraft operating from Hmeimim in support of Assad's government. RAND characterizes the initial force package as a mix of Su-24 bombers, Su-25 close-air-support aircraft, Su-30SM fighters, and Su-34 fighter-bombers, and assesses that Russia's air effort was more effective against the Syrian opposition than against ISIS.
The aircraft's documented role was battlefield attack rather than transfer to Syrian control. The available sources describe Russian Su-25s flying strike and close-air-support missions for the pro-government campaign; they do not establish Syrian Air Force Su-25 operation as a separate possession or transfer claim.
A February 3, 2018 shootdown over Idlib provides a later dated marker of continued Russian Su-25 operations in the theater. The Defense Post reported that Russia's defense ministry confirmed a Russian Su-25 was downed while flying in the Idlib de-escalation zone, with preliminary information pointing to a possible man-portable air-defense missile.
Sources: RAND Russian Air Campaign, Defense Post Idlib Su-25 Shootdown
