MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia’s Sukhoi Su-25, Su-24M and Su-34 attack aircraft, with the support of Su-30 jets, commenced precision airstrikes against ISIL targets in Syria on September 30, following a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.
"Russian air and space reconnaissance continues to pinpoint new objects 24 hours a day of the Islamic State’s terrorist infrastructure in the Syrian Arab Republic to be destroyed by Russian air groups," Konashenkov said.
Konashenkov said that a considerable part of the Islamic State’s weapons, munitions, and fuel depots for its military hardware had been destroyed by Russia’s precision airstrikes.
Panic Among Militants
"Su-34 bombers attacked a militant camp located in the town of Mastumah, Idlib province. According to intelligence data, this camp was used by the ISIL group as a gathering point for militants arriving from foreign countries," Konashenkov told reporters.
According to the spokesman, the camp provided "comprehensive training of terrorists in special tactics and mine explosives under the guidance of experienced instructors."
The Russian aviation seriously damaged material and technical support of the Islamic State on the contact line with the Syrian troops, causing them to panic.
"Over the last few days, terrorists have been making desperate attempts to send armaments, weapons, fuel, and technical equipment from the Raqqa Province to the front line with the Syrian Army," Konashenkov said.
The Russian military has launched over 400 airstrikes in 13 days, destroying some 370 objects.
Syrian Advance
Syrian troops are taking part in a ground operation, coordinating their actions with the Russian aviation.
"After causing massive losses to the Islamic State organization, our troops took control over large areas," Syrian Armed Forces spokesman Ali Mayhoub said.
The spokesman also said that a large number of terrorists was moving from Syria to the Turkish border amid the Syrian government-led military offensive.
"Success achieved by our armed forces since the beginning of the operation, concentrated strikes from the air, as well as artillery strikes on the terrorists' control and command points are undermining their spirit. Many of them are moving to the Turkish border," Mayhoub said.
Russian warships in the Caspian Sea have also partaken in anti-ISIL operation, having fired 26 cruise missiles on ISIL targets.
The Russian General Staff said the Islamic State militants were suffering significant losses, changing tactics and hiding in villages.
According to the Russian military, all their targets are chosen based on intelligence collected by Russia, Syria, Iraq and Iran. High-precision weapons are being used during the operation.
Earlier in October, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad confirmed that the strikes were being carried out against armed terrorist organizations and not political opposition factions or civilians. He added that Russia’s airstrikes had already destroyed 40 percent of the Islamic State infrastructure in Syria.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Sunday that the time frame for Russia’s campaign in Syria would be limited to the Syrian army’s offensive. The Russian leader ruled out the participation of the Russian armed forces in a ground operation in Syria.
