The Russians continue to not Impress in Syria.

The Russians have. In Recent years not impressed anyone.
It now seams like the Russians are unable to really preform in any meaningful way that does not involve simply throwing weapons at the enemy until they win.
Now that's not to say that the Russian Military is not large, and large enough to handle most of the problems they face. Just that they seam to have some serious problems.

The terrible failure of the Russian in Afghanistan actually trumps the US defeat in Vietnam.
The Russian Failure to really effect Chechian Rebels.

The Russian Georgian Conflict did end in a Mostly Russian Victory, But it was a embarrassing performance from a nation that should have had no trouble with the small Georgian Force left to defense there nation while most of there experienced troops where away in Iraq. (Helping the US, Who under George W Bush Did nothing about it) Bush "looking into Putin's heart and finding a friend." Or as a like to put it. "Bush looked Putin in the face, and wet himself, then hid like a coward"

The Russian "Involvement" In the Ukraine has not been impressive ether.
Most notable the Russian Air force, once one of there most impressive feats of military might. Is falling out of the air. Six jets in eight weeks. The Russian Military Budget simply can not sustain the effort.

Russian had tried to buy new equipment from the west, but that has now stalled after the Ukraine.
Russian Arms exports have had trouble.. India sending back jet fighters (Mig-29's) They have purchased because they had been badly made.

And now in Syria.
One third of Russian Attack planes are grounded.
One half of transport planes are grounded.
At least one Orlan-10 drone has been shot down or crashed. Mind you this drone is little more then a large RC plane.

And at least one Russian Fighter has been shot down by Turkish F-16's after the Jet Crossed into Turkish Air Space and did not leave when ordered to three times.