The day Russia began bombing Syria. A chronology. Highlights from the beginning of Moscow's new military operation in the Middle East
Following the Federation Assembly's formal authorization of the use of armed force in Syria, Russia has unveiled a campaign to defend the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. According to unofficial reports, Russian-coordinated air strikes have already begun against targets inside Syria. Meduza collects what we're learning about this unfolding military operation. This report will be updated as new information becomes available.
5:20 p.m. (Moscow time): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addresses the UN Security Council, describing the rise of various terrorist movements after the so-called "Arab Spring." He calls ISIL a "quasi-state," and says any unilateral actions against it are "pointless." He says there needs to be a worldwide anti-ISIL coalition that includes external partners and even the anti-Assad opposition. Lavrov proposes using the UN's Military Staff Committee for this operation, and also calls for a sanctions list targeting anyone who cooperates with ISIL.
4:40 p.m. (Moscow time): Sergey Lavrov meets with the Swiss Foreign Secretary, who reportedly said Iran should be included in any effort to resolve the Syrian conflict.
4:25 p.m. (Moscow time): Citing a Syrian security official, AFP reports that Russian aircraft have attacked three provinces in Syria—not just Homs. "Russian and Syrian airplanes carried out numerous strikes today against terrorist positions in the Hama, Homs, and Latakia provinces," the source said.
4:05 p.m. (Moscow time): The Russian Ministry of Defense officially confirms that Russian aircraft have been used in air strikes on targets in Syria. Vesti.ru says the location of the first attacks was in the Hama region, 213 kilometers (about 130 miles) from Damascus.
Around 4 p.m. (Moscow time): Vladimir Putin says Russian air strikes in Syria will continue so long as the Syrian military is conducting offensive operations. Putin did not specify if this support applies only to operations against ISIL, or if it includes the Assad regime's war against the "moderate opposition" now supported by a US-led coalition.
3:40 p.m. (Moscow time): Reuters reports that 27 people (including 6 children) died as a result of air strikes in Homs, citing information from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, whose headquarters is located in London.
Around 3 p.m. (Moscow time): Reports emerge on social media that Russian military aircraft have carried out an attack on the Syrian city of Homs. It remains unclear if Russian pilots were flying the planes, or if this was simply another operation by the Syrian Air Force with Russian hardware and coordination.
Around 3 p.m. (Moscow time): CNN reports that Russia has participated in its first air strike in Syria, in an attack against the city of Homs, which is controlled by forces loyal to Assad, though anti-Assad rebels and ISIL militants are also active in this region. Earlier reports claimed that the Syrian air force was responsible for strikes against targets in Homs. Russian defense officials have yet to confirm this information.
Around 3 p.m. (Moscow time): The Deputy Head of Russia's Joint Chiefs assures reporters that no Russian conscripts will be deployed to Syria.
Around 2:30 p.m. (Moscow time): Ramzan Kadyrov, the ruler of Chechnya, calls for Russian boots on the ground in Syria and a ground war against ISIL.
Around 1 p.m. (Moscow time): Reports emerge that Russia—through an information coordination center established in Bagdad with the cooperation of Iraqi, Iranian, and Syrian defense officials—has begun providing the United States with information about new air strikes being conducted by Syrian pilots flying Russian planes.
Around 1 p.m. (Moscow time): Several high-placed sources in the US report that Moscow has issued to Washington a formal demand that it cease flights over Syrian air space. The United States has reportedly refused to comply with Russia's request.
10:50 a.m. (Moscow time): Members of Russia's Federation Assembly vote unanimously to authorize the use of Russian armed forces abroad in Syria. According to Sergey Ivanov, Moscow is responding to a formal request for military assistance from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.