OPLAN-21814

[Jay]

OPLAN-021814
Security Classification: TOP SECRET

SITUATION REPORT

---

In response to changes in the security landscape in Syria, namely the successful instigation of fighting between rebel forces affiliated with the Islamic Liberation Army of the Levant (ILAL) and the Islamic Republican Guard of the Levant (IRGL) in the regions of Hama, Homs, Aleppo, and Damascus, the Russian Federal Security Council has authorized the Russian Operational Command for Syria Operations (OCSO) to undertake necessary actions to protect and preserve Syria's national integrity and sovereignty. This operation, which falls under Operational Plan 021814, is intended to gather critical intelligence on the movement, strength, and capabilities of these rebel factions. The mission will focus on detailed aerial surveillance and SIGINT gathering, designed to track ILAL and IRGL forces across key urban centers and strategic areas. The primary mission is to gather high-quality surveillance data, assess rebel troop movements, weapons caches, and communication hubs, and provide actionable intelligence to the Syrian government. The Russian Air Force will deploy two Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft equipped with high-resolution optical/infrared cameras, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and SIGINT/ELINT systems to conduct the aerial surveillance operation. Additionally, air-based SIGINT teams onboard a Beriev A-50U Mainstay will be positioned to capture electronic emissions from enemy forces for further analysis. Russian reconnaissance forces will conduct multiple passes over Hama, Homs, Aleppo, and Damascus. The Russian Air Force will maintain a rapid-response readiness posture, with Su-27 fighters on standby to ensure air superiority if the situation escalates. Ground forces from Russian Forces in Syria (RUF-S) will be readied to provide SAR and QRF support if necessary.

---

BELLIGERENTS

BLUFOR	OPFOR
Russian Federation Islamic Republic of Syria	Islamic Liberation Army of the Levant Islamic Revolutionary Guard of the Levant

---

ORDER OF OPERATION

---

• 16th Squadron "Knight" (16-й авиаполк "Рыцарь")
  • Flight B
    • x 12 Sukhoi Su-27SKM
      • Guns: 1 × 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon with 150 rounds
      • Missiles:
        • 4 × R-73E AAMs
        • 6 × R-77 BVRAAMs
      • x 12 pilots
  • Flight C
    • x 2 Sukhoi Su-24MR
      • Dedicated tactical reconnaissance variant
        • Terrain-following radar
        • Two panoramic camera installations, 'Aist-M' ('Stork') TV camera
        • RDS-BO 'Shtik' ('Bayonet') side-looking airborne radar (SLAR)
        • 'Zima' ('Winter') infrared reconnaissance system
        • Other sensors are carried in pod form.
      • x 4 pilots
• 23rd Squadron "Falcon" (23-й авиаполк "Сокол")
  • Flight A
    • x 1 Beriev A-50U Mainstay
      • x 13 Crew Members

Monitor foreign communications and electronic signals as well as visual intelligence gathering in the Mediterranean and surrounding regions.

---

CONFIDENTIAL MISSION OPERATION КОНФИДЕНЦИАЛЬНО ОПЕРАЦИЯ МИССИИ​ This document is classified and intended solely for official use within the Russian Armed Forces. It contains sensitive operational details and is not to be viewed, shared, or disseminated outside of authorized personnel. Unauthorized access or distribution of this document is strictly prohibited. Please ensure the return of this document to the Russian Operational Command Syria Operations Headquarters, located at Latakia International Airport, Building 7, Operations Wing, Latakia,

The goal of the operation is to gather high-quality intelligence and surveillance data on the Islamic Liberation Army of the Levant (ILAL) and the Islamic Republican Guard of the Levant (IRGL) in the areas of Hama, Homs, Aleppo, and Damascus. This mission will rely on visual imagery, radar surveillance, and electronic signals intelligence (ELINT/SIGINT) to gather information regarding rebel troop movements, weapons caches, and communication hubs. Primary Objectives: Conduct detailed aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering over designated target zones in Hama, Homs, Aleppo, and Damascus. Capture high-resolution imagery of rebel-held locations and forces using optical/infrared cameras. Gather SIGINT from rebel communication networks, including command centers, radio frequencies, and electronic transmissions. Use SAR to create detailed terrain and target maps, identifying troop concentrations and enemy movement. Secondary Objectives: Identify potential logistical hubs and supply routes. Assess infrastructure damage and determine the presence of any heavily fortified areas or key facilities. Capture electronic emissions from the Islamic Republican Guard of the Levant and the Islamic Liberation Army of the Levant for further analysis. Mission Parameters: Flight window: Conducted during daylight for optical imagery and at night for infrared operations. Multiple passes: Aircrafts will conduct several passes over each city to ensure comprehensive intelligence collection.

​ Route & Flight Path​ Aircraft Loadout: Reconnaissance Pods: High-resolution optical/infrared cameras (for day and night imagery), SAR radar (for all-weather surveillance), and SIGINT/ELINT sensors for tracking communication emissions (supported by A-50U aircraft). Primary Flight Route: Initial Approach: The Su-24MR pair will depart Latakia Air Base and fly from the northwest towards Aleppo. Waypoints: The aircraft will conduct the following approach for each city: Aleppo: The aircraft will move north to Aleppo and will enter a cruise altitude of 3,500-4,000 meters to capture detailed visual imagery of the city and its outskirts. Hama: The aircraft will then move to Hama and continue to collect intelligence along the main M4 and M5 highway. Homs: After Hama, the aircraft will fly towards Homs, adjusting altitudes to 3,000 meters for radar use and infrared scans in the area. Damascus: The final leg of the mission will focus on Damascus. Given that Damascus is a more densely populated urban area, the aircraft will fly at slightly higher altitudes (around 4,500 meters) to maintain a broad surveillance picture of the city. Surveillance Zones: Targeted Areas: Concentrated reconnaissance over known rebel strongholds, urban areas suspected of housing ILAL or IRGL forces, and key infrastructure sites. Flight Profile: The Su-24MR aircraft will fly at a combination of low altitudes (around 200-500 meters) for specific target areas and medium altitudes (3,000–4,500 meters) when conducting SAR or radar-based surveillance. Mission Specific Parameters: Minimize noise detection: The Su-24MRs will employ quiet flight profiles at medium altitudes, keeping the engines at reduced thrust to minimize noise detection from the ground. Reconnaissance Patterns: The aircraft will perform zig-zag patterns over the target areas, with a combination of high and low-altitude passes to ensure comprehensive surveillance coverage. A minimum of 3 passes per city (Hama, Homs, Aleppo, and Damascus) will be made, ensuring detailed imagery and signals intelligence from different perspectives and angles. Mission Objectives High-Resolution Imagery: Capture detailed optical images of rebel camps, weapon caches, and infrastructure. The imagery should be able to identify vehicle types, personnel, and building structures. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): SAR will be used to identify and track moving targets like convoys or troop formations, even through cloud cover or in low-visibility conditions. Detailed maps of rebel-held territory will be created to identify entrenched positions and fortifications. Signals Intelligence (SIGINT): The aircraft will listen for radio signals and communications emanating from ILAL and IRGL command posts. This will help identify their locations, communications frequencies, and possible future movements or strategies. Infrared Imaging: For night operations, the Su-24MRs will rely on infrared cameras to identify thermal signatures of rebel movements, troop concentrations, and equipment. Identification of Key Infrastructure: Identify roads, bridges, and supply lines used by the rebels to resupply or maneuver. The reconnaissance will also focus on capturing images of key defensive positions or fortified areas.

END OF DOCUMENT КОНЕЦ ДОКУМЕНТА​

​

---

CAMPAIGN REGISTER

Operation	Objective	Status
Reconnaissance Air Patrol - Rebel Hotspots & Territory	The primary objective is to gather high-quality intelligence on rebel forces (ILAL and IRGL) across multiple cities in Syria, specifically Hama, Homs, Aleppo, and Damascus. Surveillance will be conducted using aerial reconnaissance, SAR, SIGINT, and infrared imaging systems to capture rebel movements, weapon caches, and communication networks. The mission will involve multiple aircraft for comprehensive data collection and analysis. Deploying Su-24MR aircraft for tactical reconnaissance missions over rebel-controlled areas, including detailed mapping and intelligence gathering using SAR, infrared systems, and visual cameras. The operation will cover strategic locations across key cities such as Aleppo and Damascus.	Active
Electronic Surveillance - Mediterranean	The mission will involve the Beriev A-50U Mainstay aircraft to monitor and intercept electronic signals from the Islamic Republican Guard of the Levant (IRGL) and Islamic Liberation Army of the Levant (ILAL) in the Mediterranean region. The A-50U will track enemy communications, including radio frequencies and electronic transmissions. The A-50U will take off from Latkia Air Base and stay safely within Russian-controlled air space. The crew will	Active
Reconnaissance Air Patrol - Air Superiority Assistance	The mission objective is to provide air superiority assistance by deploying Su-27SKM aircraft for reconnaissance, interception, and suppression of enemy air threats in support of ongoing air operations. The aircraft will remain on standby ready to conduct patrols and intercept hostile aircrafts.	In Progress

---

 

[Jay]

Secret
​

Over the last few days, servicemembers from Russia's air force stationed in Syria were a part of numerous briefing sessions which covered security, rules of engagement, and the general objectives of the deployment.

Maintenance crews focused on checking all aircraft, carrying out any ad hoc repairs and making sure they were fit for duty. It wasn't long before all crew and aircraft were signed off, and the operation could begin. Russian ground personnel were put on alert status to ready for any rescue missions. An A-50U had its crew complete preflight checks and prepare for takeoff. The pilots and flight crew launched the fully-fueled aircraft and flew it at its cruising speed and altitude. The aircraft would take its rotating pattern over 35.51759, 35.89394. It would generally fly in circles around that point, allowing it to collect SIGNIT and ELINT intelligence.

On the tarmac at Latakia Airbase, the cold, early morning air bit at their faces as Valery Kachusov adjusted the collar of his flight suit, squinting against the dim glow of the airfield’s floodlights. Sacha Madulin walked alongside Valery. In the distance, they could see an A-50U taking off. "Looks like we are on schedule," Valery said to his co-pilot, watching the A-50U bank left.

The A-50U would monitor the sky and the surface for any and all threats and unknown flying or floating objects. Once the A-50U had flown through twelve hours, another crew for another one of the A-50U would perform preflight checks and be ready to replace it. After these checks were performed, the new A-50U would be on standby, ready to be deployed. With that, Valery and Sacha made it to their aircraft.

​

Sacha shuffled through the last of their pre-flight paperwork before stowing it away in the cockpit’s side compartment. The hum of distant engines and the faint smell of jet fuel hung in the air as they approached the Su-24MR, its sleek body bathed in the cold, blue light of the hangar.

“Ready, Sacha?” Valery said as he climbed into the cockpit, his boots clanging on the metal ladder. “Let’s get this bird started before the wind picks up.” Sacha, already half in the seat next to him, gave a quick nod. “Yes Sir,” he grinned as his gloved hands found the switch for the battery.

The cockpit came to life with a soft buzz, the instruments flickering to life, but the aircraft still felt lifeless. Sacha’s hands moved over the controls, flipping the APU switch to the start position, his gaze darting between the various gauges as he waited for the engine to stabilize. Sacha chuckled, tapping the throttle lightly. “I heard they are serving caviar in the officers club later."

“Concentrate,” Valery muttered, voice low. "Enough with you and your caviar."

The hum of the APU filled the cockpit, the lights on the panel gradually becoming steady. Sacha nodded, his hands now moving to the fuel system switch. With a practiced flick, the valves opened, and the fuel began to flow. “Fuel’s good,” Sacha called out. “Engine start?”

Valery’s gloved fingers were already moving toward the engine start button for the left engine. The button clicked, and the engine roared to life with a sudden burst of energy. The gauges spiked for a moment before settling into their expected ranges. “Left engine is live,” Valery reported.

Sacha watched the right engine closely as Valery hit the engine start button again. The right engine sputtered, then hummed to life, its indicators finally steadying. “Two engines up,” Valery said with a slight nod. “Electrics?”

Sacha flicked the switch for the electrical system, the cockpit lighting up even more as the aircraft’s systems powered up. A quick glance at the hydraulics confirmed everything was working as expected. “Hydraulic pressure’s good,” Sacha confirmed his eyes scanning the cockpit's instruments.

Valery pushed the radar and avionics systems online, watching as the screens flickered to life. “Radar is good. Avionics online. Let’s run the flight controls.” Sacha’s hands moved instinctively, testing the ailerons, rudder, and elevators. The control sticks were firm but responsive, each one moving exactly as expected.

“Everything’s solid,” Sacha said, tapping a few buttons to check the reconnaissance equipment. “All systems go. Should we prep for taxi?”

Valery leaned back in his seat, checking his instruments once more before giving Sacha a sideways glance. “You’ve got the taxi, Sacha. I’ll handle the rest.”

Sacha gave a grin and began easing the throttle forward, the Su-24MR rolling forward smoothly on the tarmac. As they approached the runway, Valery adjusted the comms, “Mission’s set. Eagle Eyes-01 ready for taxi."

The Su-24MR’s engines roared as it accelerated down the runway with Sacha's hands on the throttle, Valery scanning the instruments. The journey, taking a few minutes before they were airborne and conducting their recannisaance path. Following the flight plan as stated, the Su-24MR began its surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities.

The spacious interior of the AWACS aircraft was filled with the soft hum of its massive engines and the rhythmic beeps of various electronic systems. The array of screens and consoles shifted with the changing data inputs.

The cockpit door opened briefly as the senior pilot, Major Bezrodny, walked into the body of the plane. He smiled and gave a simple head nod to the crew. He walked over to the center of the plane where he leaned over to discuss a minor adjustment with Captain Kulakova. Captain Kulakova sat at the central operations console, her eyes were fixed on the primary radar screen. The rotating radar dish on the AWACS provided a wide-angle view of the airspace, and Kulakova's fingers moved over the controls, adjusting as she monitored the airspace over the area of operations.

Beside her, Lieutenant Murat was focused on tracking multiple aircraft on his screen, civilian aircraft from Turkey, Cyprus, Iran, and other international airlines. His headset crackled softly as he received updates from the ground command center.

"Sector looks clear, Ma’am," Boris reported, adding that "there is no new activity in that zone."

Kulakova nodded. "Understood. Keep an eye out for that Thai Naval Base. We don’t want a surprise for our teams over Syria.”

Bezrodnyleaned over before speaking softly to Kulakova. “I heard there is Iranian Kebab on the menu for this flight.” He said with a light chuckle. “What’s the weather looking like?”

Kulakova looked back at him as she rolled her eyes. “I wish. I could do with an Iranian Kebab.”

Bezrodny cut her off, saying, “I know a good place on…”

Kulakova shook her head. “As if,” she said, looking back at her screen. “The weather is clear so far. No expected showers.”

Bezrodny looked at the screen. “No French showers?”

Kulakova shook her head again. “Unlikely. We’re waiting to see if the Turks scramble anything. I doubt it, though. They can’t tell if we’re birds or planes.” She said with a hearty laugh as Bezrodny just smiled and walked back.

As Bezrodny returned to his seat, Galya's headset crackled with a new transmission. “Mother Hen this is Eagle Flight. Any updates on the weather?”

Lieutenant Galya monitored the communication frequencies, her headset pressed tightly against her ears. Two Su-25MRs came into view through the small window. They have the A-50U a wave with the tips of their planes, Kulakova laughed as she took a photo using her camera. Watching as Lt. Galya and Valery flew off. The room settled into a quiet rhythm once more, the soft hum of equipment and occasional keystrokes filling the silence.

Kulakova quickly adjusted her frequency. “Eagle Flight, this is Mother Hen—no activity on the radar. The weather is clear. We’re tracking a few low-priority targets, but nothing immediate. Will update you on any weather changes.”

“Copy that, Mother Hen,” Eagle Flight responded. “Eagle Flight out.”

Back in the spacious interior of the AWACS aircraft, a cacophony of beeps and soft hums came from the maze of screens. Captain Kulakova, seated at the central operations console, monitored the primary radar screen as she looked for signs of trouble. Lieutenant Tima, next to her continued to watch civilian aircraft to make sure they were following the no-fly zone over their operating area. Major Bezrodny continued to joke around the cabin as he stretching his legs and getting up.

Drivindeath