Neither Russian nor Syrian defenders are capable of adapting to unexpected challenges. This is a huge intelligence coup for the west because it demonstrates that Russian military tactics are relatively inflexible and that Russia can be beaten by thinking out of the box by doing something which causes the opposing commander to have a brief moment of indecision.
Creating that moment of indecision causes people to either freeze and do nothing, or to panic and make the wrong decision. It is the goal of both sides in warfare (or in business) and boils down to what is called the ‘OODA loop’ which basically codifies getting inside your opponent’s head and thinking ahead of him; exactly the way chess is played.
The best weapons in the world can’t overcome a tactician who can get you to shoot yourself in the foot.