Russian forces start large-scale operation against IS in Syria

The Russian Armed Forces have launched a large-scale operation to deliver strikes against terrorists in the Syrian provinces of Idlib and Homs, including with the involvement of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Tuesday, according to Russian news agency TASS.

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The defense minister made this statement at a meeting with representatives of the Defense Ministry and the defense industry held by President Vladimir Putin, TASS wrote.

"Today, at 10:30 and at 11:00, we started a large-scale operation to deliver massive fire on the positions of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra in the provinces of Idlib and Homs," Shoigu said.

Read alsoRussian airstrikes kill 9 civilians in AleppoAccording to the Russian defense minister, the operation involves the frigate Admiral Grigorovich that has made launches of Kalibr cruise missiles, Bastion coastal defense systems and "for the first time in the Navy's history, the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov has started to take part in combat operations."

Shoigu has said that the Russian armed forces are delivering massive air strikes against terrorists' plants in Syria.

"The strikes are focused on ammunition depots, groups of terrorists and their training centers, as well as facilities being used to manufacture mass destruction means that are used against civilians," Shoigu noted.

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