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Russian Military Progress Evident - Former US Defense Secretary

© Defence Ministry RF / Go to the mediabankCaspian Flotilla ships fire missiles to attack ISIL positions in Syria
Caspian Flotilla ships fire missiles to attack ISIL positions in Syria - Sputnik International
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Russia has demonstrated progress in the modernization of its armed forces, former US Secretary of Defense told Sputnik.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Leandra Bernstein — Russia’s demonstration of its long-range cruise missile capability in Syrian campaign shows the progress made under Moscow’s recent defense modernization program, former US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"It [Russia’s use of long-range cruise missiles] is mainly a manifestation of the progress that has been made in modernizing Russia’s forces over the last number of years," Gates said of the newly fielded missile capability.

At the beginning of October, Russia conducted 26 cruise missile strikes on targets in Syria at a range of nearly 1,000 miles.

Caspian Flotilla ships have launched 26 cruise missiles at Islamic State facilities at Islamic State positions in Syria - Sputnik International
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The campaign, aimed at defeating Islamic State forces in Syria, marked the first instance of Russia using its advanced precision guided munitions in battle.

Gates noted that the Russian defense capabilities do "raise a concern."

Russian forces have conceded airstrikes in Syria on September 30, at the invitation of the Syrian government. The strikes have caused substantial damage to Islamic State command and logistics networks, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

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