2008, Georgia. Russian Air Force loses at least 9 aircraft. Georgian minuscule airforce remained grounded. The losses are considered catastrophic inside Russian military command, and overall performance of Air Force was appraised as the worst among branches of military forces.
In 2010s there's a string of assassinations happen in Ukraine and Bulgaria. Different people are targeted, from ex-military to weapon mogul Gebrev. What connects them? They all were part of the weapon sales chain that provided Georgia with anti-air defences. Bizarrely, Russian state media is openly accusing some of the victims in doing exactly this: selling anti-air weapons to Georgia.
Clearly, a vendetta is taking place. Killing those people wouldn't do anything positive for whatever future Russia was planning. And since the story starts with military campaign and ends with undercover hits, it must be Putin behind this, as he's the only person in command of both military and special forces committing the murders.
Syria. Russian Air Force enters the fray. But unlike Assad's they are flying their ground attack planes pretty high, way above range of manpads that are responsible for thinning out Syrian Air Force. Clearly, avoidance is put above target precision. Later, a single Russian aircraft is downed by Turkish defence. The relations between countries are soured, but only for a while.
What can we conclude? For whatever reason Putin hates losses in air force. Specifically, in military planes (it seems Russian helicopters aren't enjoying that privilege). I can't presume what this reason might be. But Putin's actions over the last 15 years seem to fit the narrative.