The Russian guided missile cruiser Moskva patrols off the coast of Syria in December 2015. The conflict in Syria proved to be the ultimate testing ground for Russian troops, equipment and combat capabilities.
Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war from 2015 onward was partly driven by Moscow's desire to protect its historical position in the country. Beyond that, however, Russia sought to enhance its influence and leverage in the wider Middle East, especially in broader talks with the United States . But there is an aspect of Russia's involvement in the campaign that is often overlooked: The conflict in Syria has been the ultimate testing ground for Russian troops, equipment and combat capabilities. The Syrian civil war differs from other conflicts Russia has entered since the end of the Cold War. Unlike the wars in Chechnya, Georgia and the Donbas region of Ukraine, the Syrian conflict is neither within nor adjacent to Russian territory. Therefore, Russia's intervention in Syria depended on its ability to project military force over considerable distances.
