Russian defense ministry confirms air strikes on ISIL positions in Syria

The Russian defense ministry has confirmed that it has launched an air military operation in Syria. As the ministry’s spokesman Igor Konashenkov said, Russian Air Forces are striking ISIL surface facilities.

As Konashenkov informed, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu briefed his CSTO counterparts that Russian fighter jets are striking military equipment, communication centers, transport vehicles, ammunition depots belonging to ISIL.

Previously, Western media reported that Russian bombers delivered first strikes on ISIL after leaving Latakia air base.

As EADaily reported earlier, the decision on military assistance from Russia was made after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad asked for it in a letter sent to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The upper house of the Russian parliament, Federation Council, has granted a permission for it. 162 senators voted for the initiative unanimously.