Russian long-range aviation strikes should ensure crucial turn in Deir ez-Zor area - State Duma defense committee deputy head
MOSCOW. Jan 25 (Interfax) - The strikes of Russian long-range bombers on positions of the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) should reverse the situation in the area of the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, which is blocked by the militants, State Duma defense committee first deputy head, Hero of Russia Andrei Krasov told Interfax on Wednesday.
"These strikes are aimed at the destruction of the command system of the terrorists. One of the tasks of the strikes is to unblock the Syrian troops, who are encircled," he said.
Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range bombers have carried out group strikes on the ISIL positions in the Syrian governorate of Deir ez-Zor over the last few days. After taking off from Russian territory, six Tu-22M3s bombed ISIL positions on January 21, 23, 24, and 25.
"We demonstrate that the fight will be ongoing until the Syrian land is cleaned from the last terrorist," Krasov said.
"The group airstrikes are being delivered on the command points, the bases of terrorists, ammunition depots and material and technical supplies," the State Duma defense committee's first deputy head said.
"I do not doubt the professionalism of our pilots. Each such strike is carried out on a concrete target, accurately in compliance with the security measures for civilian population," Krasov said.