Russia’s air group in Syria includes over 50 warplanes, helicopters - ministry

MOSCOW, October 1. /TASS/. More than 50 warplanes and helicopters are part of an air group of Russia’s Air and Space Forces conducting airstrikes on the positions of the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria, Russia’s Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov has said. "The air group was deployed in the shortest time. We managed to do that as the main materiel supplies and ammunition were in the material-technical facility in Tartus. We only had to relocate aviation and bring some equipment," Konashenkov said. Russia’s Air and Space Forces launched the operation against the Islamic State gunmen in Syria on Wednesday. Russia’s upper house unanimously gave the president approval to use the Russian Armed Forces abroad earlier that day. Kremlin chief of staff Sergey Ivanov noted "it was solely the operation of the Russian Air Force" against Islamic State terrorist group in Syria at the request of President Bashar Assad. Read more