"A total of 830 gang leaders, more than 86,000 militants, including 4,500 immigrants from the Russian Federation and the CIS countries, were eliminated," according to a video posted on the ministry's YouTube channel.
The crisis in Syria started in 2011, when various opposition groups attempted to overthrow the Syrian President Bashar Assad during the Arab Spring riots. Russian military started the operation in the country in 2015 in order to stop civil war and help the internationally recognized government to fight radical militants, including those of the Daesh* terror group.
On Weapons Used in Syrian Campaign
Russia has tested 231 types of the newest and modernized weapons during the operation in Syria, the ministry said on Wednesday.
"Ships and submarines of the Russian Navy carried out 100 strikes with sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles on the terrorists' targets. Strategic long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Force have carried out 66 strikes with air-launched cruise missiles," the ministry said adding that 166 targets have been hit.
READ MORE: Russian Forces at Hmeymim Air Base Down 2 Drones Launched by Syrian Militants
In total, according to the report, the Russian forces have tested 231 types of the newest and modernized weapons during the operation in Syria.
On Military Sucess
"As a result of the operation, the Syrian troops, supported by Russian forces, liberated from terrorists more than 1,400 settlements, over 96 percent of the territory is under the control of government troops and militia units," the ministry said.
Over 63,000 Russian military personnel, including 434 generals and about 26,000 officers, gained combat experience in Syria, the ministry said, adding that 91 percent of Russian army aviation crews and 60 percent of strategic and long-range aviation crews gained combat experience.
*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group, banned in Russia
