Online flight-tracking provides revealing details about Russian air bridge to Syria

Some days ago we explained how everyone (including low-tech terrorists “armed” with a mobile device and an internet connection), could have the operational equivalent of a ground-based radar-detection system to predict (and avoid) US airstrikes and reconnaissance missions thanks to ADS-B, Multilateration, online tracking systems, and some poor OPSEC procedures.

However, American and NATO planes are not the only ones that can be tracked on the internet: There is a widespread tendency to leave the transponder turned on while flying close or inside sensitive areas.

For instance, in the last few days, Flightradar24 exposed the Russian military airlift from Sevastopol, in Crimea, and other bases in Russia to Syria.

On September 7, two A124 Condor airlifters could be tracked until landing at Latakia, Syria.

On September 9, aviation enthusiasts from all around the world tracked as many as five An-124 Condor airlifters heading towards Syria. An additional one could be tracked on September 10.

Unlike the flights tracked on the previous days, the six cargo planes spotted on September 9 and 10 took an easterly roundabout route to avoid the airspaces of Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and Cyprus, closed to Russian aircraft supporting the military buildup in Syria.

According to several sources, at least four aircraft went through Iran/Iraq.

Interestingly, aviation enthusiasts also monitored some Syrian Air flights of IL-76 carrying registration YK-ATA that, on August 22 and 28, made round-trip flights from Latakia to Moscow on the easterly Iran/Iraq route.

Not only have An-124s flown to Syria lately. Other Russian flights from Russia to Syria include an Il-62, RA-86496, and an EMERCOM (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations) Il-76, RA-76429: The first one visited Latakia on August 12, 28, and on September 7, using a route via Bulgaria, and on September 10, using a route via Belarus — Poland — Serbia that avoided closed airspaces.

The last time the EMERCOM Il-76 was in Latakia was on August 17, but Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations planes visit Syria every now and then.

SEE ALSO: Russia is urging other nations to support Syrian dictator Bashar Assad

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