How Russia defends its aviation in Syria from Turkey and NATO

The incident with Turkey's downing Russian military aircraft Su-24 allowed Russia to increase its military potential in Syria, the Stratfor analysts noted.
Before that, Russia secured an air-cover due to four multirole fighters Su-30, that followed air striking groups. According to the US military, after the Russian aircraft had been downed, Russian strike fighter-bombers Su-34 equipped with R-27 air-to-air missiles were noticed in Syria.
Russia also dispatched surface-to-air missile systems, including the Buk, as well as high-performance long- and medium-range S-400 systems. The launchers can be seen now at the heavily guarded air base Bassel Al-Assad near Latakia, as the analysts pointed out.
Thus, Russia may impede military actions of the forces, which oppose the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Stratfor concluded. The US and its allies can still strike the IS targets, however possible air strikes in the future against other targets, including regime adherents, that advance against the rebels, will be quite limited because of active support of these forces by the Russian aviation.

Pravda.Ru