WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US, Russian defense officials exchanged ideas during a video conference on deconfliction efforts earlier on Thursday, a day after Moscow launched its first airstrikes on Islamic State positions in Syria.
"International frequencies that can be used at a time of distress…conversation between aircraft, what language would it be in…Those are some of the questions that we are trying to address…so that there isn’t a misjudgment or miscalculation in the air."
The spokesperson added that US and Russian military officials will likely have a decision regarding next steps on deconfliction efforts within the coming days.
On Wednesday, the Russian upper House of Parliament unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin's request to deploy the Russian force abroad, focusing on anti-ISIL air strikes in Syria, after Syrian President Bashar Assad turned to him for assistance.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that it carried out some 20 combat missions in Syria on Wednesday, striking at least eight Islamic State targets.
