Sukhoi Su-30 fighters provide air escort for all flights of Russian strike aircraft in the Syria

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MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. Sukhoi Su-30 fighters have been included in the air group of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Monday. "The Su-30 fighters provide air escort for all flights of our strike aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic," he said. The Russian aviation group has been making pinpoint airstrikes on terrorist facilities in Syria since September 30. According to previous reports, the Russian Aerospace Force group comprises more than 50 planes and helicopters. In particular, the Su-24M modernised frontline bombers and Su-25SM strike aircraft, as well as the newest Su-34 strike fighters have been involved in the operation. Russian warplanes wipe out 25 IS strongholds According to the spokesman, Russian warplanes in Syria have wiped out 25 strongholds and fortified positions of the Islamic State with armaments and other equipment over the past 24 hours. "All in all Russian planes have destroyed the terrorists’ stronghold near the village of Salma, in Latakia province, seven command posts, six field camps and six ammunition depots, Konashenkov said.

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A motor convoy, one mortar group and three underground shelters were destroyed in Latakia province, he added. "Having performed their combat missions all Russian planes returned to base at Khmeimim," Konashenkov said. Earlier, the Defense Ministry said that over the past 24 hours Russian planes flown 55 sorties to hit 53 targets of the Islamic State. Russian bombers destroy Islamic State’s transition center in Syria’s Latakia The official noted that Russian Su-24M fighter jets have destroyed a large transit center of the Islamic State terrorist organization with underground shelters and ammunition depots in the Syrian province of Latakia. "As a result of a targeted strike by Su-24M bombers near the settlement of Salma in the province of Latakia, a large transit center with underground shelters and ammunition depots belonging to the ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - former name of IS] group, discovered by space surveillance, was destroyed by non-fragmentation bombs," Konashenkov said. A large explosion was registered on the site after bombs detonated, and the facility was completely destroyed, he noted.