© Sputnik/ Alexei Danichev
Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser has begun combat operations in Syria, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Tuesday.
“For the first time in the history of participation of the Russian Navy in operations, the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrying cruiser began taking part. Our Su-33 aircraft began working from this cruiser today. Before this, we carried out very careful, thorough reconnaissance of all targets,” Shoigu said.
At the same time, reports appeared in Syrian social media accoutns that up to 4 cruise missiles have targeted positions of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian al-Qaeda branch) and its allies from the Jaish al-Fatah militant coalition. The terrorists’ positions were reportedly hit near Saraqib and Jabal al-Hass.
Shoigu confirmed that Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich launched missiles on terrorist targets in Syria.
“Today, we started a large-scale operation on launching massive strikes on Daesh and al-Nusra Front targets in the Idlib and Homs provinces [in Syria],” Shoigu said, adding that “Ammunition depots, terrorist training centers and plants producing different means of unconventional weapons are the main targets of the strikes.”
The Russian minister emphasized that Russia will continue strikes on industrial and military sites belonging to terrorists in Syria.
I didn’t know that the Kuznetsov had land striking capabilities? I thought it only had anti-ship capabilities?
It has land, sea, air defense and attack systems. An aircraft carrier and battle cruiser combined.
Technically the P700 Granit on Kuznetsov and Peter the Great can hit land targets too. I see that many people think Kuznetsov carries Kalibr too, but I think this is false. The frigate Admiral Grigorovich does carry Kalibr but I don’t know how many. Perhaps a couple of the smaller ships in the group and the subs also carry Kalibr.
I dont understand from which part in the article you assume the above. The Granit missiles are “technically” able to target some ground target, but they are not made for that mission, they are a complex system that would be basically wasted on that kind of target. AFAIK The only successful use of anti ship missiles on ground targets happened during the Kashmir war, when Indian OSA class corvettes launched SS-N-2 Styx anti ship missiles to a refinery in Pakistan, destroying its silos. But, those are enormous targets, with a huge radar return, hence the anti ship missiles radar can track and attack even among ground clutter. I have serious doubts that the Granits would be able to target the ragheads hideouts and infrastructure. For these reasons the US navy for example, developed the SLAM missiles from the good old Harpoons, which are able to target only shipping.
you go russia!! See a Terrorist, Kill a Terrorist.