Russia's military have learned lessons from failures to become a proven power

Russia and its military has proven prowess in learning lessons from its failures, writes Geoffrey Roberts

THE success of Russia’s military intervention in Syria has surprised many observers. In just a few months Russian air and naval forces have changed the course of the Syrian civil war. Islamic fundamentalists have been pushed back on a number of fronts. The regime of Russia’s ally, President Assad, has stabilised, while his western-backed opponents have been forced to accept a ceasefire. Russia and the United States are no longer competitors in the Syrian crisis but partners in search of a durable peace that must marginalise the fundamentalists. Coordination with the ground forces provided by the Syrian army has been central to Russia’s success. Russia’s armed forces are under no illusion that air power alone can win wars. The boots on the ground have been provided by Assad while President Putin’s forces contribute advanced technology, firepower and intelligence.

Vital to Russia’s military effectiveness has been the reform and reorganisation of its armed forces carried, out after the border war with Georgia in August 2008. Russia won that war relatively easily but not very efficiently.