One day of Russia’s Armed Forces actions in Syria
President of Russia Vladimir Putin visited the National
Defence Control Centre where he held a meeting to discuss the actions of
Russia’s Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic. The Commander-in-Chief
heard reports from Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Chief of the General Staff
Valery Gerasimov and commanders of the different branches of the armed forces on
the operation. The President issued instructions to establish contact with the
French naval group to carry out joint actions against terrorists.
Sergei Shoigu, Defence Minister of Russia:
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, In accordance with the task you have set of
enhancing combat action by our aviation against terrorist groups, as part of
today’s airborne mission, we delivered the first massive air raid on ISIS
facilities on the Syrian territory.
The number of missions has been doubled, which makes it possible to deliver
powerful and precise strikes against ISIS targets across Syria’s entire
territory. To support airstrikes against militant groups delivered by the
operational and tactical aviation performing missions from the Khmeimim
airfield, long-range Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers have been
brought into the operation from the Russian territory. Today between 5 and 5.30
am Moscow time, twelve Tu-22 long-range strategic bombers delivered air strikes
on ISIS positions in Raqqah and Deir ez-Zor.
From 9 to 9.40 am, 34 air-launched cruise missiles were fired from Tu-160 and
Tu-95MC strategic missile carriers to hit terrorist targets in Aleppo and Idlib.
All strikes are delivered at previously developed targets. Overall, for the
first day of the air operation we have planned 127 combat missions to hit 266
terrorist positions.
By now we have carried out 82 flights, destroying 140 terrorist positions. The
operation continues. Further massive air raids will be made in accordance with
the air operation plan submitted to you. We have enough manpower and materiel.
Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff:
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, pursuant to your instructions, since September 30,
our Armed Forces’ combat aviation has been carrying out air strikes targeting
international terrorist organisations in Syria.
Over these 48 days, the Russian aviation group has made 2,289 sorties and
delivered 4,111 missile strikes on the terrorists’ main infrastructure
facilities, munitions depots and manpower locations.
In the course of combat action, 562 command centres have been destroyed, along
with 64 terrorist training camps, 54 arms and ammunition production plants and
other facilities.
The actions by Russian aviation have made it possible for the Syrian Armed
Forces to take the offensive along the entire frontline in the provinces of
Aleppo, Lattakia, Idlib, Homs and Damascus, liberating large territories from
the terrorists.
In the north, in the province of Aleppo, the Syrian army has liberated 40
residential areas, with the government forces deblocking the Kweiris airbase and
currently expanding the security zone around the airport.
The offensive at Idlib is developing successfully: Syrian troops are currently
conducting active offensive operations 20–30 km from the city.
In the coastal province of Lattakia, militants have been chased out of 12
residential areas. Government forces and militia assault teams are involved in
fierce fighting for the city of Salma.
On the divide between Gbana and Gmam, they have managed to secure a number of
tactical heights and residential areas. Despite the militants’ heavy resistance,
the Syrian troops continue their advance.
In the centre of the country, an offensive by government troops and militia
units resulted in the capture of the village of Haddad and the blockade of the
militants in the town of Mhin.
The Syrian army continues its offensive towards Palmira. Since the beginning of
active operations, the assault teams have advanced up to 4 km, blocking
terrorists in the village of Maksam, and are currently fighting for the high
points on the city’s fringes.
Near Damascus, fierce city fighting continues to liberate the districts of
Jaubar and Eastern Guta from the militants. For the first time in the four years
of combat action, the Syrian army has liberated 80 residential areas, taking
control over a territory of more than 500 square kilometres.
Acting on your orders to raise the number of strikes on ISIS targets and other
extremist organisations, the General Headquarters developed the plan of an air
operation. Along with increasing the intensity of sorties from the Khmeimim
airbase in Syria, the plan envisages using an additional 25 long-range aircraft,
8 SU-34 strike fighters and 4 SU-27SM fighters from the territory of the Russian
Federation.
To increase the pace of hits at enemy facilities and improve strike precision,
we continue reconnaissance of the Middle East territory. We are using 10 imagery
and radio electronic reconnaissance satellites, including those of non-military
nature. We have retargeted and adjusted the orbits of a number of satellites,
which makes it possible to cover Syrian territory at the required pace. We are
planning to further strengthen the orbital grouping by using reserve space
vehicles and launching new ones.
Today, in the course of the first massive airstrike, 34 air-launched long-range
cruise missiles hit 14 important terrorist positions, including illegal armed
groups’ command centres that coordinate the actions of ISIS militants in the
provinces of Idlib and Aleppo; major munitions and other materials depots in the
north-west of Syria set up in protected hide-outs, militant training camps where
newcomers to the terrorist organisations were trained, including suicide
bombers; three major plants producing explosives, suicide bombers’ belts and
unguided missiles.
Today, the aviation group deployed at Kheimim airfield performed 65 missions of
the 98 planned. The airstrikes resulted in destruction of 6 command posts, 8
munitions depots, 12 terrorist training camps, 4 plants producing landmines and
missiles, and 6 fuel storage facilities. SU-34 aircraft hit 2 fuel convoys,
destroying about 50 vehicles. Considering the earlier strikes on vehicles
transporting petroleum products (a total of 410) and individual infrastructure
sites, the militants’ capabilities to illegally export energy resources have
been significantly reduced.
The air operation is being controlled from the Russian National Defence Control
Centre through long-range aviation control points and aviation groups in Syria.
We notified air force commanders of the United States and other coalition
countries of the strikes at a reasonable time. We continue hitting terrorist
positions in line with the approved plan. All the tasks you have set us, Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, will be achieved.
Anatoly Zhikharev, Commander of Strategic Aviation:
As of today, our strategic bombers set on a mission to hit ISIS positions in
Syria. To perform this mission, we are using all types of strike aircraft at our
disposal: TU-160 and TU-95MS strategic missile carriers and TU-22M3 strategic
bombers. Their crews were instructed to hit positions, and they are acting in
full compliance with the plan of the first massive air strike.
After the mission, the TU-160 and TU-95MS strategic missile carriers landed at
their home fields for maintenance, preparation for new flights and recorder
analysis. A reinforced TU-22M3 strategic bombers squadron conducts two group air
strikes a day from the airfield in Mozdok, targeting ISIS positions in eastern
Syria – the provinces of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa. During just one mission that
lasted 5 hour 20 minute, the TU-22M3 bombers cover 4,510 km in distance. The
TU-160 and TU-95MS bombers covered 6,566 km in the course of their missions that
lasted 8 hours 20 minutes and 9 hours 30 minutes accordingly.
The rocket missile attacks have destroyed 7 munitions depots and personnel
locations, 5 major ammunition storage facilities and 5 terrorist infrastructure
facilities.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the moral and psychological condition, professional
qualifications of aircrews and technical personnel, the condition of aviation
equipment and air weapons and fuel stock make it possible to perform all the
tasks set by the strategic aviation command as part of the air operation with
precision and in a timely fashion.
Oleg Krivorog, Captain First Rank:
As part of the naval task force in the eastern Mediterranean, the Moskva missile
cruiser is ensuring combat stability of ships and vessels delivering cargos to
the Syrian Arab Republic, covering from the sea the deployment location of the
Russian air strike group and point of unloading for sea cargos.
On the current mission, the ship has covered 10,300 nautical miles. We have
convoyed and covered 27 vessels carrying cargo to the Syrian Arab Republic.
We have located and identified the nature of actions of 53 vessels and 2,375
flights by foreign Armed Forces conducting combat operations in the eastern
Mediterranean.
Currently, the Moskva missile cruiser is controlling air, sea and undersea
situation in the assigned area to create favorable conditions for actions by
Russian armed forces in the Syrian Arab Republic.
The cruiser’s armaments and equipment are in full readiness, the personnel are
in good health, and morale is high.
Anatoly Konovalov, Lieutenant General:
In line with your decision, today a group of TU-22M3 strategic bombers delivered
a group night strike from the Mozdok airfield on six ISIS targets in Syria.
After landing, they prepared for a new mission. At 2 pm, the crews took off to
carry out another air strike. In the period of time from 4.30 pm until 5 pm,
they hit 6 targets. Currently, the crews are on their way to their base.
The crews and equipment are functioning properly. We communicate with the crews
throughout the entire mission. Control is stable.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the task group personnel are ready to perform your
tasks to ensure the security of the Russian Federation and protect its citizens.