Russian military flights close to the Syria-Turkey border, an area already tense with air operations by the anti-Islamic State (IS) coalition, have heated up the skies over the region. First, the Turkish Foreign Ministry reported that Russian Su-24 and Su-30s had violated Turkey’s airspace in the Hatay region on Oct. 3. Then, the office of the Chief of the General Staff announced that an unidentified MiG-29 had locked its radar on a Turkish F-16 on air patrol on Oct. 4. The high command also reported that air defense batteries in Syria had locked their radar on Turkish F-16s flying along the border.

What do these incidents signify? Security analyst Arda Mevlutoglu told Al-Monitor that Russia is using harassment and intrusions to send the US-led anti-IS coalition the message “I am here” as well as probing the capabilities of Turkey and the coalition's air force.

Since the beginning of September, Russia has been delivering warplanes and helicopters to the Bassel al-Assad International Airport near Latakia. According to open sources, the following aircraft have been deployed: four Su-30SMs, 12 Su-24s, 12 Su-25s, six Su-34s, one Il-20M and 15-20 Mi-8 multipurpose and Mi-24 attack helicopters. The Su-30SM is for interception, interdiction and air superiority, the Su-24 and Su-34 for tactical bombing, the Su-25 for close air support and the Il-20M for electronic intelligence.

According to Mevlutoglu, this squadron definitely has the capacity to protect the Syrian regime. Ground operations at Hama and Homs with Russian air support have already begun. Russia’s land-based electronic intelligence elements and Il-20 planes are providing intelligence support to the Syrian army by detecting opposition signals and positions. This support has substantially diminished the combat effectiveness of the opposition forces.