[gandalftb]

Let’s go slow here.

The Russians aren’t flying Mig-29’s in Syria.

They have 12 Su-24’s, 12 Su-25’s and four Su-30SM’s jets at Humaymim since 21 September. A few Su-34’s came in on 1 October.

The Russians use the Mig-29 for training only, back in Russia.

Syria has a number of them that could have been shot down.

[PIF]

Do you suppose that there was a mis-identification and the MiG-29 is really a MiG-31, six of which were ID on the tarmac in Syria?

MiG-31

MiG-29

[Paul R.]

Good point. I’d imagine the Turks would use any excuse they could get to shoot down a Syrian plane, IF they had the excuse...

It’s also possible the rebels managed to shoot down a Syrian plane that got too low. All those MANPADS from Libya went somewhere.

Does anyone know if the reports that the Russian planes are only bombing from high altitude are true? That would tend to indicate that the Russkies do believe the rebels have MANPADS.

[Fhios]

I’m not calling you out on these numbers. I’m curious where you pull them from. I’m looking to see if there is an index of sort on raw industrial products like rolled steel, rubber, heavy textile, foundries for other metals like Aluminum, titanium — as part of an effort to measure war capability in a protracted conflict.