ON THE FALL OF PALMYRA AND THE "TROPHIES"

While the world's military experts are puzzled about the recent successful offensive on Palmyra by the ISIS, it seems that Russia has successfully conducted a covert operation of weapons supply to the terrorists, writes the Russian analyst Konstantin Rumsky.

The fact that Russian military retreated from the city leaving their base shortly after the ISIS launched the offensive operation has triggered a wave  of ridicule in social networks. However, the defeat of pro-Assad forces in Palmyra looks too easy to be true... too intentionally. 

Too many trophies. Judging from numerous photos on social networks, leaving its military base Russians had left there not their old assault rifles, but a large batch of new unpacked boxes of ammunition.  Indeed, the stock of ammunition in the Russian base in Palmira was excessively large, even if we assume that the Russian military were preparing for few months of fighting under conditions of siege. But in this case why, having a superior forces, they fell back without a fight. The actual number of the ISIS assault group did not exceed a thousand fighters, while the Russian media claimed that there were about 5000.

Considering the Palmyra's operation in general it gives the impression of a fake. It was clear, that the single road that used to connect the city with a "mainland" could be captured by terrorists without an effort. In addition, Palmyra isn't the best place to make it a stronghold. This is much like a "deal," imitation of a retreat and a rich trophy for the ISIS. Rich not by quantity but by quality, this can be judged by numerous photos posted by the terrorists.

This is much like a "deal," imitation of a retreat and a rich trophy for the ISIS. Rich not by quantity but by quality, this can be judged by numerous photos posted by the terrorists. There are not only weapons and ammunition, but also armored vehicles, about 30 tanks and air defense systems.

Why on earth Russian military command decided to send its anti-aircraft weapon systems there (the ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" and the S-125 Neva are seen in the photo) if the ISIS hasn't its own fighter aircrafts? Obviously, it was planned to hand them over to the islamists as an "useful trophy" during the retreat, which will come in handy against the US and coalition's aircraft.

However the fact the islamists are armed with the missile systems is an intimidation factor first of all. Should be understood that outdated Russian missile systems work properly, they do not pose a serious threat to modern military aircraft. But they do for a civilian airliner. 

Another airplane shot down by the terrorists from "trophy" ADMS can make the World much more tractable in the negotiations with Moscow on the matters of the East Europe and lifting the sanctions. The Kremlin made such attempts before, but they have led to opposite result. 


Since the Soviet times Moscow has worked closely with the terrorists around the world, providing them with weapons, instructors and training camps. In fact, whole the modern terrorism under the guise of "radical Islam" has been created by special services of the USSR  during the struggle for influence in the Middle East after World War II. 


However, we aren't going to delve deep into history here, but remember the events of last year. At the end of 2015 Russian propagandists had tried launched into circulation the version that Qatar supplies the ISIS with ADMS and aircraft bombs. In response the Qatar's Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah hinted that the country has evidence that it is Russia who supplies the Islamists with weapons under the mediation of the Assad's government, adding that Moscow just simulate a confrontation with the ISIS using its atrocities as a pretext for the attacks on the opposition forces.

This was expressed in streamlined form of diplomatic wording. Quatar's plans doesn't included a serious quarrel with Moscow, but official Doha had demonstrated its readiness to counter and the Kremlin's anti-Quatar propaganda campaign had been discontinued in 24 hours.

To say more, even without Doha's statements there are lots of facts of the "Russian trail" in the ISIS activities. Especially when Russia dumped there what had been captured in Crimea, Donbass and Georgia.

Returning to the theme of "trophies" let's recall that earlier this year, during the fighting in the area of the base of Deir ez-Zor in addition to a large number of small arms and ammunition the ISIS received the Russian 2K12 "Kub" (the SA-6 "Gainful") missile system. Earlier, the terrorists had gained dozens of Russian MANPADS.

The full list of supplies of missile systems and other serious weapons to the Islamists organized by Russia (in various ways, including through imitation of an "accidental capture") is enormous.

The overall picture looks very anxious. It proves that the Kremlin is preparing a world war. And it has nothing to do with the hysteria around nuclear weapons, bloated by propagandists just in order to divert attention from the real preparations.

We have to understand that the new world conflict will be conducted by means of informational war and terrorism. Being known as the Hybrid War it is already underway in fact. This new conflict is aimed at destabilization of the world for the sake of the survival of only one regime, which has shown its inhuman nature in Ukraine, Georgia, Syria. 

Source РУССКИЙ СЕКТОР