Russian Bombers Destroy ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra Command Points, Weapons Depots

MOSCOW-Russia has deployed strategic bombers to launch strikes on so-called Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Nusra Front targets in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. The bombers flew from Russia for the mission, and fired cruise missiles while over the Mediterranean Sea, According to RT.

With in-flight refueling on two occasions, the bombers covered a distance of some 11,000km (6,835 miles), flying over a northern sea route and the eastern Atlantic.

 Su-33 fighter jets from Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and air forces from the Khmeimim base in Syria were also deployed in the strikes on Thursday, Interfax reported, citing the Defense Ministry. Su-30 jets provided cover for the mission, the report added.

After launching cruise missiles at terrorist targets in Syria, the Russian jets returned to base, the ministry said.

Terrorist command points, weapons and ammunition depots, as well as an arms production facility were targeted by the strikes, the Russian military said, adding that all coordinates had been checked through several intelligence channels.

“The results of the strikes were also controlled by drones,” the Defense Ministry reported.

At least 30 militants from the Jabhat Fatah al Sham including a commander who had planned an offensive in Aleppo, were eliminated as a result of airstrikes launched from the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, Sputnik reported.

At Least 30 Jabhat al-Nusra Members, Including Commanders, Eliminated in Syria

Earlier, Spokesperson of the Russian Defense Ministry  Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that at least 30 militants from Jabhat al-Nusra terror group, currently known as “Jabhat Fatah al Sham”, including a commander who had planned an offensive in Aleppo, were eliminated as a result of airstrikes launched from the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, according to Sputnik.

 “During a massive fire strike this past Tuesday, Jabhat al-Nusra militants were dealt serious damage. As a result of the strikes conducted by carrier-based Su-33 fighters from the aircraft wing of the Admiral Kuznetsov cruiser, a large formation of the Jabhat al-Nusra group was destroyed in the Idlib province,” Konashenkov said.

According to the spokesperson, intelligence data has confirmed the death of at least 30 al-Nusra members, including several field commanders, one of whom was involved in the planning of offensive operations in Aleppo.

“Eliminated field commander Abul Baha al-Asfari was in charge of uniting the remaining reserves of Jabhat al-Nusra groupings in the provinces of Aleppo and Hama, as well as of planning and carrying out another militant attack on Aleppo,” Konashenkov said.

Earlier this week, the Defense Ministry announced that Russia was carrying out a large-scale military operation against terrorists in Syria. The Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s only aircraft carrier, took part in the mission for the first time. Su-33 jets were sent on sorties from its deck, targeting terrorist forces in Homs and Idlib provinces. The Russian frigate the Admiral Grigorovich was also deployed in the offensive.

On October 15, Russia’s Northern Fleet’s press service said that a group of warships headed by the Admiral Kuznetsov accompanied by the Pyotr Veliky battle cruiser, the Severomorsk and Admiral Kulakov anti-submarine destroyer and support vessels had been sent to the Mediterranean.

H.M