Russia’s operation in Syria not to last long, time frames depend on results of anti-IS fight - Matviyenko

GENEVA, October 19. /TASS/. Russia’s operation in Syria will not be lingering, and its time limits will depend on the results of the fight against terrorists, speaker of Russia’s Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko told a news conference on Monday. "We do not think that the Air Force operations will last long, their time limits will be defined by the results of the fight against Islamic State [a terrorist group banned in Russia -TASS] and international terrorism. It is crucial to deal the final blow to this world’s evil in its lair, preventing the spread of Islamic State and international terrorist groups to other countries, other regions, including Russia," she noted. Russia’s Aerospace Forces launched surgical strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria on September 30. The military operation is conducted at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Russian air group in Syria comprises more than 50 warplanes and helicopters, including Su-34 and Su-24M bombers and Su-25 fighter bombers. On October 7, four missile ships of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla fired 26 Kalibr cruise missiles (NATO codename Sizzler) at militants’ facilities in Syria. On October 8, the Syrian army passed to a large-scale offensive. The Russian Federation does not plan to take part in ground operations in Syria. Read more