© Sputnik/ Alexei Danichev
Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser has begun combat operations in Syria, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Tuesday.
“For the first time in the history of participation of the Russian Navy in operations, the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrying cruiser began taking part. Our Su-33 aircraft began working from this cruiser today. Before this, we carried out very careful, thorough reconnaissance of all targets,” Shoigu said.
At the same time, reports appeared in Syrian social media accoutns that up to 4 cruise missiles have targeted positions of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian al-Qaeda branch) and its allies from the Jaish al-Fatah militant coalition. The terrorists’ positions were reportedly hit near Saraqib and Jabal al-Hass.
Shoigu confirmed that Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich launched missiles on terrorist targets in Syria.
“Today, we started a large-scale operation on launching massive strikes on Daesh and al-Nusra Front targets in the Idlib and Homs provinces [in Syria],” Shoigu said, adding that “Ammunition depots, terrorist training centers and plants producing different means of unconventional weapons are the main targets of the strikes.”
The Russian minister emphasized that Russia will continue strikes on industrial and military sites belonging to terrorists in Syria.
