Defense Ministry Confirms Russia Began Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria

Russian combat jets have launched first 'pinpointed' airstrikes on positions of Islamic State militants in Syria, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

"In accordance with the decision by Supreme Commander of Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin, aircraft from the Russian Aerospace Force began today an operation which involves precision airstrikes on Islamic State land-based targets in Syria," spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.

According to Konashenkov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has informed other members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization that the Russian jets carry out strikes on IS military hardware, arms and fuel depots.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russia's upper house of parliament authorized the use of the country's armed forces in war-torn Syria. According to presidential aide Sergei Ivanov, the military goal of the operation is exclusively air support of the Syrian government forces in their fight against the Islamic State.