While the "war against ISIS" has been quietly pulled from the front pages in recent months (even as both Russia and the US continue to pile forces into Syria), having served its political purpose, it continues on the ground. As evidence we have the following newly-released videos show Russian Mil Mi-28NE Night Hunter helicopters hunting Islamic State vehicles in Syria.
Russian helicopters, warplanes strike ISIS during Palmyra liberation https://t.co/H2hWGrQRUz pic.twitter.com/9pOpIKSsGG
— RT (@RT_com) March 31, 2016
According to RT, the Mi-28NE reportedly use Ataka (NATO designation AT-9 Spiral-2) anti-tank guided missiles with shaped charge warheads, designed to eliminate armored vehicles; the pickups and trucks of the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) terrorists are pierced through. A number of people can be seen running away from the vehicles in the midst of an attack.
As seen on video, pilots do not target fleeing terrorists.
The targets are engaged from various distances, sometimes well over 5km away, with speeds of the aircraft exceeding 200kph.
On some videos it is clearly visible that terrorists are firing at the helicopters with automatic weapons, though incapable of damaging the armored ‘flying tanks’, which can withstand hits from 12.7mm bullets.
And since the "war against ISIS" is gradually fading now that the world's attention has finally been drawn to its Turkish sources of funding, we look forward to the next, just as exciting videos: ECB helicopters launching stack of €100 bills (because the €500 should be made illegal soon) at European citizens.