This appears a ‘perfectly reasonable explanation’ even more so considering the VKS didn’t bomb the…

‘Problem’ are as follows: Gazeta.ru writes that it was the Quwwat Nimr that was attacking the FSyA, not the other way around.

This appears a ‘perfectly reasonable explanation’ even more so considering the VKS didn’t bomb the involved FSyA units, but TSK units several kilometres behind the frontline.

‘Problem’ are as follows: Gazeta.ru writes that it was the Quwwat Nimr that was attacking the FSyA, not the other way around.

Reports released ever since indicate the Quwat Nimr suffered about 20 KIA and 1 MBT knocked out; FSyA lost 4 KIA. I see such figures — and the fact Tandif is now under Assad-Regime’s control — as a confirmation for who was attacking whom.

The Russians have been informed about TSK/FSyA positions days before — via their Air Force Attaché in Ankara. Along explanation published in Gazeta.ru, it is clear that on 9 February they ignored that information and launched an air strike within relatively short period of time (something like one hour) — without cross-examining coordinates provided by Quwwat Nimr with those provided by Turks.

Finally, Russians are currently pre-occupied with bombing insurgents in Idlib and western Aleppo. Only their Su-25s are active against the Daesh in eastern Aleppo — i.e. in the area where this incident took place.

Considering general circumstances, my assessment is that this period of time was much too short for the Russians to come to the idea to ‘signal Turks’ by bombing them. I also have doubts that Moscow would so openly mistreat Turks: they’ve had plenty of opportunities to do so by now, but never did.

These are reasons for my conclusion that it was a spontaneous decision in reaction to their ‘important allies’ (keep in mind the importance of the Quwwat Nimr for the Assad-Regime) being in trouble. I.e. a ‘mistake’, not ‘intentional’.