Russia may deploy conventional ground forces to Syria to gain leverage in negotiations with Turkey and possibly participate in a pro-Assad regime offensive. Russia and Turkey are pressing one another for concessions in negotiations concerning opposition-held Idlib Province. A Russian conventional military deployment remains unlikely, but various indicators have tripped in the past few weeks suggesting that Moscow could be preparing for one. Such a deployment would mark an inflection in Russia’s participation in Syria and an escalation in the conflict between Russia and Turkey.
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Isabel Ivanescu: Russia may deploy conventional forces to Syria
A Russian S-400 Triumph/SA-21 Growler medium-range and long-range surface-to-air missile system drives through the Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2015.
