The Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday the country's air force had begun striking Islamic State militants in Syria, targeting military equipment, communication facilities, arms depots, ammunition and fuel, domestic news agencies reported.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Russian parliament gave President Vladimir Putin its unanimous backing to launch air strikes in Syria, setting the stage for Russia's most dramatic intervention in the Middle East in decades.
"In accordance with the decision of the Armed Forces Supreme Commander of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Russian air forces today began pinpoint strikes against ISIS [Islamic State] targets on the ground on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic," the Interfax news agency cited a Defense Ministry spokesman as saying.
Putin said on Wednesday the only way to fight terrorists in Syria was to act preemptively, saying Russia's military involvement in the Middle East would only involve its air force and only be temporary.
Speaking at a government meeting, Putin said it was still possible and necessary to unite international efforts to take on Islamist militants in Syria.
Putin told a government meeting on Wednesday that all of Russia's "partners" had been informed about Moscow's actions.
He said Moscow expected President Bashar Assad would show flexibility and be ready to compromise over the future of his country.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
