[bert]

However, academic exercises result in experience that cal be valuable for planning.

A negative result can be informative.

Unfortunately performing the exercise in the Medditeranean Sea for all to see, is embarassing

[TigerLikesRooster]

I think Russia is conducting a sweeping evaluation of its military using their Syria operation. They brought in a wide-range of weaponry, some of which may not be necessary for this particular operation. They didn't have to use long-range bombers or sea-launched long-range missiles from Caspian Sea to hit Jihadi targets. It makes a good PR but also a way to test what they have.