Russia could expand airstrikes to Iraq

Russia has the ability to expand its Syrian air operations to strike Islamic State targets in Iraq if requested to do so by Baghdad, but it would put Russian forces in the same battlespace as U.S. troops
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Sukhoi Su-34 “Fullback”

Russian long-range strike fighter could reach mostof Iraq from Bassel al-Assad airbase in Syria

Crew: Two

Speed: 1,900km/h (Mach 1.8)

PAYLOAD OPTIONS Shorter range, heavier load
Longer range, lighter load

Ordnance 42 x 250kg bombs Range 500km
Ordnance 12 x 250kg bombs Range 950km 3,000-litre external fuel tank
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Airbases
Russia
U.S.-led coalition
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TURKEY Black Sea Incirlik CYPRUS RAF Akrotiri LEBANON ISRAEL King Hussein EGYPT SYRIA Bassel al-Assad IRAQ Baghdad JORDAN Al Azraq King Faisal SAUDI ARABIA RUSSIA GEORGIA ARMENIA AZERBAIJAN Caspian Sea IRAN KUWAIT Ali Al Salem BAHRAIN QATAR Al Udeid UAE Al Dhafra OMAN The Gulf Al Minhad 500km
300 miles
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Source: Stratfor

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