Russian bombing of ISIL to enable Syrian army to step up ground operations - Klintsevich
MOSCOW. July 14 (Interfax) - A new concentrated strike by the Russian Aerospace Forces against terrorist positions in Syria inflicted serious damage on ISIL, which should help consolidate the Syrian army positions in the Palmyra area, according to Frants Klintsevich, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council's Defense and Security Committee.
"The airstrikes carried out in real time with adjustment have inflicted serious damage on Islamic State [a terrorist organization banned in Russia]. I think this will be a very strong boost to the Syrian army's spirit and positions, enabling it to conduct ground operations more intensively," Klintsevich told Interfax on Thursday.
The airstrikes were preceded by the very serious reconnaissance work of identifying targets, deployments, locations and movements of ISIL fighters, he said.
When asked whether Russia will continue to carry out such concentrated strikes, the senator said: "Of course."
Such strikes are carried out whenever certain circumstances arise and intelligence is obtained, the senator said.
"There is a real war going on there, and in this war, unfortunately, very many, including representatives of foreign secret services, are playing a double game. This leads to Islamic State forces today having big serious plans. And these plans have been dealt a devastating blow, they were simply demolished," Klintsevich said.
Earlier on Thursday the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out over 50 airstrikes against ISIL forces and equipment in the Palmyra area since July 12. This Thursday, six Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range bombers carried out another concentrated strike against ISIL positions. The strike destroyed ISIL's command and control center, field camp, oil refineries, a lot of its militants and equipment.