Life and service of Russian troops fighting ISIL – in an exclusive report by Rossiya Segodnya information agency.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102792/30/1027923015_0:0:3456:2304_600x0_80_0_0_345fa743503e5eeaab86207cb596275e.jpg)
The Hmeymin airbase is fully provided with material and technical supplies from Russia, according to the Defense Ministry.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102792/42/1027924273_0:0:3456:2304_600x0_80_0_0_501698cec899318cac3f8a39f203c929.jpg)
The formation has 10 fueling trucks for planes and helicopters. The Russian military deployed engineering and technical support facilities at the Hmeymim airbase.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102792/38/1027923883_0:0:3456:2304_600x0_80_0_0_c5e5fc228b45277e29fd50d3933119db.jpg)
Within a short time, the Russian military built dozens of field facilities on the site, including refueling stations and stocks of supplies.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102792/59/1027925902_0:0:3456:2304_600x0_80_0_0_95afab6eadc1ab680f6d86be8161fd6a.jpg)
Mobile kitchens and a bakery are also operational at the base.
![Mobile kitchens and a bakery at the Hmeymim airbase Mobile kitchens and a bakery at the Hmeymim airbase - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102797/31/1027973184_0:0:3072:2048_600x0_80_0_0_40bb6946bad6cecaaf2e977398cfcd0d.jpg)
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Syrian authorities supply the base with fruits and vegetables.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102792/55/1027925543_0:0:3456:2304_600x0_80_0_0_b2a20ab63ccbb026cf555903ff20c1ee.jpg)
The airbase is secured by a Russian tactical marines unit, equipped with reinforcing weapons.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102792/56/1027925641_0:0:3456:2304_600x0_80_0_0_fccdf88ecb51a19d4119a9190b25e657.jpg)
On September 30, Russia launched airstrikes against ISIL militants in Syria. The Russian military is providing aerial support for ground operations conducted by the Syrian army.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102792/37/1027923781_0:0:3456:2304_600x0_80_0_0_07cd2c0aa86c7d078d709fbe180db522.jpg)
ISIL positions are located and identified with the use of surveillance data collected by Russia and Syria.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim base in Syria - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102792/72/1027927214_0:0:3456:2304_600x0_80_0_0_19e3ec1b800beb43382841ead841ff5f.jpg)
The combat unit of the Russian Aerospace Forces includes over 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 jets. In addition, space surveillance equipment and UAVs are used.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim airbase Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim airbase - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102797/35/1027973517_0:0:3072:2048_600x0_80_0_0_024d7d158c639ea39b214daa77853667.jpg)
The airstrikes target ISIL command points, communications facilities, explosives manufacturing plants as well as ammo and fuel depots.
![Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim airbase Russian soldiers at the Hmeymim airbase - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102797/39/1027973960_0:0:3072:2048_600x0_80_0_0_21410727179b0f23e4a67f4a6fa80384.jpg)
According to the military, Russian jets involved in the operation are equipped with high-precision weapons. No civilian infrastructure where civilians could be were damaged during the airstrikes.