Russia involves strategic missile carriers in operation against ISIS

[Balu]

Russia involves strategic missile carriers in operation against Islamic State in SyriaMilitary & Defense (http://tass.ru/en/defense)
November 17, 17:29 UTC+3
Thirty four cruise missiles were launched to hit militants’ targets in Aleppo and Idlib provinces Material has 1 page


http://cdn.itar-tass.com/width/744_b12f2926/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20151117/1114546.jpg
© ITAR-TASS/Marina Lystseva

Gallery 7 photo


http://photocdn1.itar-tass.com/fit/333x9999_4ec25037/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20151111/1113701.jpg (http://tass.ru/en/defense/835597)© AP Photo/Vladimir Isachenkov Journalists from 12 countries visit Syria airbase where Russian aviation group is deployed (http://tass.ru/en/defense/835597)




MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Russia has involved strategic and long-range aircraft in strikes against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization in Syria, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
"Today, in a period from 05:00 a.m. to 05:30 a.m. Moscow time, twelve Tu-22 bombers hit Islamic State targets in Raqqah; in a period from 09:00 a.m. to 09:40 a.m. Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers fired 34 air-launched cruise missiles at terrorist targets in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. A total of 127 sorties against 206 terrorist targets were scheduled for Tuesday, of which 82 sorties have already been flown and 140 targets have been hit. The operation is underway," he said.

According to the minister, Russian aircraft have doubled the number of strikes against Islamic State facilities in Syria, which made it possible to cover all terrorist facilities in the country.
"As part of the air operation, a massive air strike is being delivered at ISIL [former Islamic State name] facilities in Syria," Shoigu said.
"The number of sorties has been doubled, which makes it possible to deliver powerful precise strikes at ISIL facilities in Syria," he said.
Gallery 13 photo


http://photocdn1.itar-tass.com/fit/333x9999_4ec25037/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20141223/1076157.jpg (http://tass.ru/en/russia/768755)© ITAR-TASS/Sergei Bobylev 100 years of Russia's long range aviation (http://tass.ru/en/russia/768755)




25 long-range planes to be involved in strikes against Islamic StateRussia’s Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov told Vladimir Putin that Russia will use long-range planes in addition to bombers and fighter jets to deliver strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria.
"To fulfil your orders to intensify strikes against targets of the Islamic State and other extremist organizations, the General Staff has worked out a plan of further air operation. Along with the intensification of sorties from the Hmeymim airbase in Syria, the plan provides to involve an extra of 25 long-range planes, eight Sukhoi-34 bombers, four Sukhoi-27SM fighter jets," he said.
The Russian aviation grouping at the moment comprises more than 50 aircraft and helicopters, including the Sukhoi Su-34 and Su-24M bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-30SM fighters and Mil Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters.
Squadron of Tu-22M3 bombers is attacking IS targets in SyriaAnatoly Zhikharev, the long-range aviation commander, said Russia’s squadron of Tupolev-22M3 strategic bombers is currently dealing a massive strike against Islamic State positions in Syria.
Gallery 11 photo


http://cdn.itar-tass.com/fit/333x9999_4ec25037/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20151014/1110464.jpg (http://tass.ru/en/defense/828093)© Russian Defense Ministry's Press and Information Department/TASS Russian Aerospace Forces grouping in Syria (http://tass.ru/en/defense/828093)




"A reinforced squadron of long-range bombers Tupolev-22M3 from the Mozdok airdrome over twenty four hours deals two massive strikes against the Islamic State in eastern Syria’s Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces. One attack was carried out last night, and another is in progress at the moment," he said.
Russia’s long-range planes have been attacking IS targets starting from Tuesday, November 17.
"In order to cope with the set tasks all types of air attack complexes are being used: strategic missile carrying bombers Tupolev-160 and Tupolev-95S and long-range bombers Tupolev-22M3. The crews of strategic bombers are performing their tasks in strict accordance with the plan for dealing the first massive air strike," Zhikharev said.
The Tupolev-160 and Tyupolev-95MS planes have already returned to base upon completion of their combat missions. "The planes are undergoing maintenance and preparations for more sorties. Objective monitoring data are being analyzed," he added.
Russia’s Aerospace Forces delivered over 4,000 strikes in Syria since start of operationRussia’s Aerospace Forces grouping has delivered over 4,000 missile and bomb strikes against terrorist facilities since the start of its operation in Syria, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov said on Tuesday.
http://cdn.itar-tass.com/fit/333x9999_4ec25037/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20151117/1114488.jpg (http://tass.ru/en/politics/837107)© Alexander Yelistratov/TASS Putin orders to intensify Russian air strikes in Syria (http://tass.ru/en/politics/837107)




"Over the past 48 days, the Russian air grouping has performed 2,289 sorties and delivered 4,111 missile and bomb strikes against major infrastructure facilities and the concentrations of the militants’ armor and personnel," he said.
"During the combat operations, 562 control points, 64 terrorist training camps, 64 arms and ammunition production facilities and other objectives have been destroyed," the chief of the Russian General Staff said.
The Russian military started an operation against militants of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups (outlawed in Russia) in Syria on September 30 at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Besides, overnight to October 7, the Caspian Flotilla ships delivered a massive strike on the IS objectives in Syria, using Kalibr NK shipborne cruise missiles.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igzjX1IKULw

[jimnyc]

You should talk to "Pete311" who is online now, he'll scold you about how this "wasn't your war". So stay away from ISIS!! :laugh:

[Balu]

You should talk to "Pete311" who is online now, he'll scold you about how this "wasn't your war". So stay away from ISIS!! :laugh:

Ours or not, but we are there on the basis of the agreement between Syria and Russia. I wonder, how the other countries can legitimize their presence there."This is a Question" (c) /Shakespeare "Hamlet"/

[jimnyc]

Ours or not, but we are there on the basis of the agreement between Syria and Russia. I wonder, how the other countries can legitimize their presence there."This is a Question" (c) /Shakespeare "Hamlet"/

IMO? Every country in the world should be contributing some in order to rid the world of ISIS. And I believe all would be legitimate then.

[Gunny]

IMO? Every country in the world should be contributing some in order to rid the world of ISIS. And I believe all would be legitimate then.

Oh, Russia has SO evolved. If you look at the first pic, that propeller driven plane is a direct rip off of the B-29.

[Balu]

IMO? Every country in the world should be contributing some in order to rid the world of ISIS. And I believe all would be legitimate then.

Sure. Every country may contribute. But... there must be a legal basis for their direct participation in military actions. And there are ONLY TWO of them:
1. Interstate agreement
2. UN Security Council resolution.

Any other reasons are illegal and this action has another term - intervention, or aggression against Sovereign State.

[Black Diamond]

Sure. Every country may contribute. But... there must be a legal basis for their direct participation in military actions. And there are ONLY TWO of them:
1. Interstate agreement
2. UN Security Council resolution.

Any other reasons are illegal and this action has another term - intervention, or aggression against Sovereign State.
I think we can get Texas and Oklahoma to agree. :coffee:

[gabosaurus]

I love that we get the Russian point of view on this board. Balu and Christie Brinkley are almost as fun to read as the NPRK News Service. :cool:

[Drummond]

Sure, Every country may contribute. But... there must be a legal basis of their direct participation in military actions. And there are ONLY TWO of them:
1. Interstate agreement
2. UN Security Council resolution.

Any other reasons are illegal and these action has another term - intervention, or aggression against Sovereign State.

Times change, as do circumstances. Who'd argue that France has no right to attack ISIS, today ?

These things need to be viewed according to their potential. ISIS, and now obviously so, ARE a threat to the Western world, and all Nation States not subscribing to their brutal, subhuman vision of an Islamic Caliphate. THIS legitimises action by any Nation State thus threatened.

What's appalling is that the world has to wait for a major terrorist attack before this is understood, and acted upon ! As if 9/11 taught us nothing. Ditto 7/7. Ditto the Atocha railway station attack. An enemy doesn't cease to be one, because we come up with excuses to back-pedal on a willingness to act against them.

GW Bush had the right idea. In the aftermath of 9/11, he challenged 'the civilised world' to join with America in fighting a War on Terror with them. The so-called 'civilised world', in varying degrees, balked at signing up to that initiative. Fast-forward to today's mess, and ask yourselves how much worse off we all are as a result.

Would ISIS even EXIST today, had the momentum Bush envisioned been responded to in full ?

I suggest, Balu, that you save your 'legalese' approach for such matters as Russia's annexation of Crimea, and in the meantime, get on board to answer France's current drive to rehash Bush's own spirited ideas, from late 2001. As I type, I understand that France considers itself at war with ISIS, and wants to get others involved far more proactively. As Bush also did, all those years ago.

Shall we see it all come to effectively nothing ... as before ? Will 'fine words' just end up remaining as words ?

[Balu]

Who'd argue that France has no right to attack ISIS, today ?


Independent action of France without prior agreement with the Syrian government, or in the absence of the relevant Resolution of the UN Security Council would be contrary to International Law. France can not even declare war, because The Islamic state is not a subject of international law as a country.
And, answering your question, I can say, that Turkey can argue, as they've already proposed to recognize ISIS. :rolleyes:

[Balu]

I suggest, Balu, that you save your 'legalese' approach for such matters as Russia's annexation of Crimea.
As to Crimea, EVERYTHING was in strict accordance with the norms of International Law and the decision of UN Court on Serbia-Kosovo case, either you like it, or not. :laugh:

[Voted4Reagan]

I love that we get the Russian point of view on this board. Balu and Christie Brinkley are almost as fun to read as the NPRK News Service. :cool:

I love that they push 30+ year old cold war era military Hardware as being a match for Our Military.

Nobody is afraid of TU-95's, TU-160's and TU-22's... All ancient cold war relics. Most in poor flight condition.

Same goes for the Russian Navy... 1 Pseudo Carrier, 1 Kirov Class Missile Cruiser, a couple handfuls of destroyers and Cruisers and a bunch of small corvettes... when most of the Russian Navy was scrapped or lies rusting in Ship Grave Yards in Murmansk and Vladivostok.

Russia has no real conventional Power Projection... But I love the Propaganda That Balu and Christie Brinkley spout about the fearsome Russian Military...

[Balu]

Russia to use right of self-defense to fight terrorists — Russian Foreign MinistryRussian Politics & Diplomacy (http://tass.ru/en/politics)

November 17, 19:26 UTC+3
Moscow urges the United Nations Security Council to waste no time and pass a resolution on forming a broad anti-terrorist coalition

http://cdn.itar-tass.com/width/744_b12f2926/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20151117/1114574.jpg


© Gennady Lhameliyanin/TASS Archive

More news on
Fight against Islamic State (http://tass.ru/en/fighting-islamic-state-in-middle-east)

http://cdn.itar-tass.com/width/333_3412a45b/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20151117/1114586.jpg Ilya Pitalev/TASS
(http://tass.ru/en/politics/837323)
Kremlin spokesman: International counter-terrorism coalition is yet to be formed (http://tass.ru/en/politics/837323)

Kremlin: Putin orders setting up contact with French Navy after conversation with Hollande (http://tass.ru/en/politics/837310)
Kremlin does not comment on reports of missile strikes at Islamic State from subs (http://tass.ru/en/politics/837303)
Expert: Involvement of long-range planes in Syria raids shows Russia’s potential

(http://tass.ru/en/defense/837287)



MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Russia will use the right of self-defense fixed in the United Nations Charter to fight terrorists, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday in connection with Kogalymavia’s A321 plane crash in Egypt on October 31.
"We consider the barbaric attack on our citizens in the context of the recent series of bloody terror strikes committed in Paris, Beirut, Iraq, Ankara and Egypt," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Under these circumstances, Russia will act in compliance with article 51 of the United Nations Charter which provides for the right of a state to self-defense," the ministry said in its statement.

Moscow urges UN Security Council to swiftly pass resolution on anti-terrorist effortsMoscow urges the United Nations Security Council to waste no time and pass a resolution on forming a broad anti-terrorist coalition.
"The crash of the A321 plane of Russia’s Kogalymavia air carrier in Egypt on October 31 that claimed the lives of 224 people, most of whom were Russian nationals, was caused by a terrorist attack. On instructions from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Foreign Ministry hereby notifies all foreign partners that Russia’s authorities concerned have started the search for the criminals responsible," the ministry said. "This work will go on until all accomplices have been identified, tracked down and brought to justice, wherever they may be at the moment."


http://cdn.itar-tass.com/fit/333x9999_4ec25037/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20151117/1114478.jpg (http://tass.ru/en/politics/837087)© EPA/KHALED ELFIQI FSB chief: Russian A321 plane blown up by homemade explosive device

(http://tass.ru/en/politics/837087)





"In this connection Russia is asking all states, organizations and individuals, all of its friends and partners to provide assistance in this effort in order to ensure the perpetrators should be properly punished," the ministry said.
"We hail growing understanding by all our partners of the necessity to consolidate efforts of the international community to exterminate the global terrorist threat. It is really a central task for all and it requires priority attention, and what is most important, actions with no preliminary terms or conditions," the ministry said. "We call on the United Nations Security Council to waste no time and finalize the draft resolution on forming a broad anti-terrorist front on the basis of the norms and principles of international law and the United Nations Charter that was initiated by Russia on September 30."
Russian parliament calls to form anti-terrorist coalitionRussia’s State Duma (lower parliament house) has called on lawmakers from Europe, North America, the Middle East and other regions of the globe "to spare no effort to form an international anti-terrorist coalition," according to a statement adopted on Tuesday following a series of terror attacks in France and Lebanon and the act of terror aboard the Russian passenger jet over Egypt.
"The Russian lawmakers share the grief and sorrow of the families of those killed in unprecedented brutal and large-scale attack of Islamic State gunmen in Paris and the crash of the Russian A321 plane in Sinai peninsula that was caused by actions of terrorists," the statement says.
"The recent tragic developments confirm the topicality of Russia’s continuous warnings that permanent destabilization in the Middle East by those who claim global dominance, primarily the United States, could lead to the expansion of the zone of bloody chaos and entail numerous human tragedies," the document says. "France and other European states are, as a matter of fact, reaping the consequences of Washington’s nearsighted and selfish policy."

More news on

Paris terrorist attacks

(http://tass.ru/en/paris-terrorist-attacks)


http://cdn.itar-tass.com/width/333_3412a45b/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20151117/1114502.jpg AP Photo/Peter Dejong
(http://tass.ru/en/world/837151)
Russia, France to pool efforts to counter terrorism — French ambassador (http://tass.ru/en/world/837151)

Iran’s Foreign Ministry: Terrorism sponsors to bear responsibility for Paris tragedy (http://tass.ru/en/world/836986)
Rules of passage into Norway via Russia unchanged for refugees after French terror attacks (http://tass.ru/en/world/836980)
Paris will host UN climate change conference despite terror attacks — president

(http://tass.ru/en/world/836950)



"It is high time responsible countries of the world step over their tactical differences to follow the path of forming a broad anti-terror coalition following the lead of the anti-Hitler coalition as a example of unification of many countries and nations against common enemy," the statement underscores.
"It is obvious that the irresponsible and faulty policy of the West pursued under the slogan of ‘export of democracy’ has resulted in the emergence and strengthening of the so-called Islamic State. Attempts to use radical groups as a battering-ram to topple unwanted regimes are fraught with further negative scenarios," the document says. "In case no urgent and efficient measures, including of the military character, are taken chaos in the Middle East is threatening to engulf neighboring states and regions in a wave of violence."
"Terrorists who call themselves Islamic State have unleashed a real war not only against Syria and Iraq but also against France and other countries taking part in counter-terrorist operations," according to the statement. "It is time to pool efforts of the entire world community against terrorism. Only such consolidated efforts will stop the expanding terror."
The State Duma lawmakers call on members of parliaments in Europe, North America, the Middle East and other regions of the world to do their best to have an international anti-terror coalition formed. "We must do it to save human lives and realize out moral duty to victims of terror," the document says.
Terrorist attacks have claimed the lives of about 400 people in the past several weeks.
The Russian A321 passenger jet crash in northern Sinai on October 31 killed 224 people, including 25 children. According to director of Russia’s Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, the crash was caused by a terrorist attack. On November 12, a series of blasts in a Beirut suburb claimed the lives of 44 people. A total of 129 people were killed and more than 350 wounded in a series of terror attacks in Paris on November 13.

[Drummond]

As to Crimea, EVERYTHING was in strict accordance with the norms of International Law and the decision of UN Court on Serbia-Kosovo case, either you like it, or not. :laugh:

The legality of the Referendum was questioned, and strongly so.

See ...

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/14/crimean-referendum-illegal-international-law


It’s a matter of international law: territory cannot be annexed simply because the people who happen to be living there today want to secede. If that were the case, then under international law, any geographically cohesive group could vote on independence. That would mean the Basques should be free from Spain and France, and the Kurds would have an independent nation; the large community of Cubans living in Miami could vote to separate from the United States.

If a referendum were the right way to decide these issues, Russia ought to be holding a referendum to determine the future of Chechnya. Of course, it isn’t.

International law is unambiguous on how countries should decide the fate of disputed territories like Crimea. Countries can acquire territory by discovering uninhabited land, signing a treaty – as with Khrushchev’s transfer of Crimea to Ukraine in 1954 – or occupying an area peacefully over a long period of time. The legal methods for resolving questions of sovereignty are founded on widely recognized principles of international law. These do not include, and have never included, a simple referendum of people living in a contested territory.

[Drummond]

Independent action of France without prior agreement with the Syrian government, or in the absence of the relevant Resolution of the UN Security Council would be contrary to International Law. France can not even declare war, because The Islamic state is not a subject of international law as a country.
And, answering your question, I can say, that Turkey can argue, as they've already proposed to recognize ISIS. :rolleyes:

Surely, then, this works both ways. Since 'Islamic State' isn't internationally recognised as any form of Nation State, international legal strictures cannot apply as though it were one. And I remind you, this isn't a case of terrorists being holed up in an area ... they gain territory in order to control it, taking it out of the sphere of influence of any legitimate Government.

I don't care if Turkey has an interest in recognising ISIS (and if they do, they should be ashamed of themselves .. and could it be good grounds for keeping them out of the EU as members of it ?). Turkey's interest in recognising savage terrorists as having any 'rights' at all should be enough to, in my view, have them categorised as a pariah State.

[Balu]

The legality of the Referendum was questioned, and strongly so.



The referendum was conducted by the LEGITIMATE authorities of the Republic of Crimea when in Ukraine there was committed armed anti-constitutional coup sponsored and supported by the US and the EU. The result of which was that the legitimately elected president was deposed and legislative and executive bodies of state power ceased to exist. They were replaced by impostors put the United States. Under this conditions the only legitimate authority in the Ukraine in the framework of the constitution remained the Crimean parliament, which decided to hold a referendum.

[Drummond]

The referendum was conducted by the LEGITIMATE authorities of the Republic of Crimea when in Ukraine there was committed armed anti-constitutional coup sponsored and supported by the US and the EU. The result of which was that the legitimately elected president was deposed and legislative and executive bodies of state power ceased to exist. They were replaced by impostors put the United States. Under this conditions the only legitimate authority in the Ukraine in the framework of the constitution remained the Crimean parliament, which decided to hold a referendum.

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141204000047/http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/simonsmith/2014/03/17/why-should-the-crimean-referendum-not-be-recognised/


Why should the Crimean referendum not be recognised?

1. Because it was illegal

Clearly it violates Articles 72, 73, 85 and 134 of Ukraine’s constitution. The Constitution clearly stipulates that the status of any part of the country’s territory can only be changed as the result of a nationwide referendum. This referendum was declared unconstitutional and illegal by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.

2. Because of Russian interference

Crimea has for several weeks been under military occupation by Russian armed forces, which have installed a pro-Russian puppet administration that commands no popular mandate (the current Crimean ‘PM’’s party polled only 4% of the vote in the last free election held there in 2010). This administration rail-roaded the proposal for a referendum through a closed parliamentary session, under watch from armed, foreign gunmen, from which MPs opposed to Russia’s agenda were excluded.

3. Because it wasn’t properly organised

The timeframe for the referendum has been changed twice: originally scheduled for 25 May, it was then brought forward to 30 March and then again to 16 March. The referendum’s preparation was characterised by a complete lack of transparency over the composition of local electoral commissions, voters’ lists, the number of ballot papers issued, etc. The lack of detail over such key issues, together with the extremely short time-frame of its organisation, provided the authorities with enormous scope to manipulate the referendum’s eventual outcome.

4. Because it wasn’t fair or representative

The wording of the two questions posed made it impossible for votes to express support for the status quo in terms of Crimea’s existing status within Ukraine. One of the questions referred to a previous (1992) Constitution of Crimea without providing voters with detailed information as to this document’s content.

5. Because there was no debate

The referendum has taken place at ten days’ notice, without a proper campaign or public debate, with the political leaders of the country being unable to visit Crimea, and in the presence of many thousands of troops from a foreign country. The local media environment in the run-up to polling day was grossly skewed in favour of the pro-Russian camp, with no space allocated for genuine debate or the presentation of counter-arguments (central Ukrainian TV channels have been jammed in Crimea since early March).

Numerous credible reports emerged prior to polling day of local pro-Russian militia groups intimidating potential pro-Ukrainian voters and forcibly confiscating/destroying their Ukrainian identity documents, thus preventing them from voting. Leaders of the main organisation representing the Crimean Tatar community (12% of the region’s population) called for a boycott of the referendum in protest at its deeply-flawed nature.

6. Because its results cannot be verified

The referendum took place in the absence of any meaningful monitoring by impartial domestic or international observers: so there is no clarity on who voted, whether only registered voters were allowed to vote or indeed if the results were in anyway real. The 96.7% result is wildly out of kilter with the results of a representative opinion poll, conducted by a reputable Ukrainian research institute, as recently as February 2014, which indicated that only 41% of Crimean voters supported the region’s incorporation into Russia. The turnout is also suspiciously high given wide opposition boycott.

7. Because the OSCE said so

Given the lack of legitimacy and legality of the vote, it is right that OSCE monitors did not observe the referendum. Insufficient preparatory work could be done in the timeframe available to ensure that any referendum would meet OSCE standards for democratic elections: the international community would need to be able to verify the existence of an accurate and current voter registration list; to have reassurance that only those holding Ukrainian passports were eligible to vote; and to have confidence that voters will not experience harassment or violence when attempting to vote. The vote was monitored by observers from fringe parties.

Conclusion: the Crimean referendum was illegal, badly organised, unrepresentative, unfair and held under conditions of direct external military interference. It is a mockery of justice and its results cannot be viewed as genuinely reflecting the free will of the Crimean electorate.

[Balu]

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141204000047/http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/simonsmith/2014/03/17/why-should-the-crimean-referendum-not-be-recognised/

See the reasons above. At the moment of conducting referendum there were no legislative state bodies in Ukraine other then the Parliament of Crimea and the Constitution ceased to exist. The rest is American lyrics.
To compare in Kosovo there was no referendum at all. There were NATO bombing and victims, but no referendum.

[Balu]

Russia involves 10 reconnaissance satellites in Syria operation — General StaffScience & Space (http://tass.ru/en/science)
November 17, 18:27 UTC+3 MOSCOW
Vladimir Putin demanded to intensify the strikes in Syria after it was reported that the Russian airliner over the Sinai peninsula on October 31 was blown up by terrorists



http://cdn.itar-tass.com/width/744_b12f2926/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20151117/1114558.jpg


© Press and Information Office of the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation/TASS








MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Russia has involved ten reconnaissance satellites to provide support for its operation against terrorists in Syria, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov said on Tuesday.

"Efforts continue to enhance satellite-based reconnaissance for the Middle East region," he reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Ten imagery and electronic warfare reconnaissance satellites, including civilian-use spacecraft, have been involved in reconnaissance," he said.

"Measures have been taken to redirect and correct the orbits of some satellites to ensure surveying of the territory of Syria with the required periodicity," Gerasimov said.