Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the Su-25 pilot, who was killed in Syria, to Roman Filipov, the title of Hero of Russia.

pic via zvezdanews

Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the Su-25 pilot, who was killed in Syria, to Roman Filipov, the title of Hero of Russia. The body of the pilot was already brought to Russia. Ceremony of burial of Filipov with the giving of military honors will be held on February 8 in Voronezh. (TRANSLATION BY GOOGLE TRANSLATOR)

Keep an eye on this one people. 

I didn't realize it but this one is hitting the citizens of Russia EXTREMELY hard.  I didn't see it coming because we witnessed a Russian Special Ops troop alone, surrounded and finally asking his buddies to drop arty on his position (if I recall correctly he was also awarded the title "Hero of Russia) and from outside appearances they shrugged it off.

Not this time.

I've read a few Russian military forums and the fangs are out and the people want blood.

No idea how that will affect policy but if the people were wavering they aren't now.

They're in it to win it.

You have to make note of it even if you disagree.  Any idea of Russia abandoning the fight in Syria is now gone with the wind.  I don't even think a negotiated settlement is possible now.

A group of terrorists that decided to kill instead of capture a Russian pilot have instead written their own death warrants, made it impossible for them to negotiate a safe haven/cessation of fighting....in short Assad is now safe, Russia will stand beside him even though I'm sure he's a bit of an irritant and the plan to remake the Middle East is completely shattered.

Filipov had balls the size of a mountain, fought with courage and died with honor and unknowingly changed the calculations in the state of Syria because he went out like a 100% stud.

Even in 2018 one real warrior can make a difference and change the course of nations.