Mission Accomplished: Supreme Commander Visits Syrian Airbase to Congratulate Victorious Russian Pilots

Lieutenant-colonel Aksyonov: Ready, front! Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation, the pilot personnel and the aviation equipment are ready to fly back home! Commander of the special forces composite air regiment, lieutenant-colonel Aksyonov!

Vladimir Putin: Godspeed. At ease.

Lieutenant-colonel Aksyonov: At ease!

 

Vladimir Putin: Come here, come here, guys. It'll be easier to talk. For how long have you been fighting here?

- For two months.

Vladimir Putin: Pardon?

- Two months.

Vladimir Putin: Two months?.. When are you going back home?

- Today!

Vladimir Putin: Is everything ready?

- Yes, sir!

Vladimir Putin: What about the equipment? Do you like it?

- Yes, we do. Absolutely.

Vladimir Putin: Were there any failures? Or did it work normally?

- It did work properly.

Vladimir Putin: Were the factories' representatives here with you?

- Yes, they were. They worked with us.

Vladimir Putin: Are you helping them?

- Yes, we convey our comments to them.

Vladimir Putin: It's very important for them to know the performance of the equipment in combat conditions. It's one thing to test it in the exercises or some domestic events, but it's totally another to test it in combat conditions.

Thank you again, I wish you good luck. Have a nice trip home!

- Thank you! Thank you! May we take a photo with you?

Vladimir Putin: With pleasure! And happy New Year to you and your families.

- Thank you.