Consider reading the rest of the thread. They have Pantsyr-1S SAM/SPAAG systems, and possibly an S-300/400 system but it's unconfirmed. The reason they're there is the same as the deployment of the Su-30SM. Protection against "accidents" or potential hostile acts from neighboring states.
So reading between the lines they must be sensing that they are not welcome and have decided not to take chances? Or are they installing equipment for the benefit of Syrian security some time after the Russians leave?
Why would they need this against the rebels Feanor? Would it affect the TOW system or is it just to block enemy communications? Presumably this equipment is relatively short range and so is not likely to affect the US special forces in the NW?
It's designed to protect the Russian base there against a more sophisticated adversary. Like an "accidental" strike by a western power, or anyone else for that matter. So mainly the first.
They don't do either one of those things. Krasuha-4 is an EW station designed to screw with aircraft radars, both fighter jets and specifically AEW. It could also generally make things difficult for anything with a radar in the air, and in some cases even on the ground. As for range, KRET claims (the manufacturer) that it can reach satellites in low earth orbit. Supposedly total range of protection against hostile radars is 300kms. The E-8 J-STARS was specifically named as something this system is designed to counter. There are also vague claims of anti-UAV capabilities.
Do you have anything to contribute, you know, like.. something meaningful?
It was safety training. There's not much surprising about that, it's a fairly minimal level of cooperation. Keep in mind the US and Russia have practiced much closer exchanges and training in general then this.
I think this was a move in the right direction IMO
Agreed, my thoughts were that same. I think there's no real military necessity for the S300/400 deployment other than an opportunity to test, adjust, and gain experience.
Common sense really. Feanor, how many of the Russian pilots would speak English? I would guess that not many US pilots would speak Russian.
To some degree there is an aspect of sensationalism. By this I mean the pretending that the Byutukaevs of the world weren't already doing this and planning this against Russia. He was behind the 2014 attacks, for example. Many forget how long these attacks against Russia, particularly in said region, have been going on. Dagestan, ingushetia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, areas of the so called ichkerian emirate etc. in some areas it isn't worth counting decades...more like centuries.