Russian warplanes carried out intense air strikes on moderate opposition strongholds in Syria on Friday hours before a ceasefire is due to come into force, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said."From last night to this morning there have been Russian air strikes that are more intense than usual on rebel bastions including on Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus, in the north of Homs province and in the west of Aleppo province," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.There were at least 26 air strikes on Eastern Ghouta including 10 on its main city of Douma which was facing heavy regime shelling, he said.One Douma resident told AFP that "the bombing is very heavy" while another described "very big explosions" in the city.Meanwhile, the Kremlin on Friday said that Russian warplanes were bombing "terrorist organisations" in Syria ahead of a ceasefire, but dismissed reports that Moscow's air force had conducted intense strikes on rebel strongholds."The Russian air force is certainly continuing its operation in Syria" against "terrorist organisations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, after the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian warplanes targeted rebels ahead of a truce deal entering into force.The United States and Russia announced plans on Feb. 22 for a cessation of hostilities in Syria, excluding Daesh and Nusra Front militants, that would take effect starting on Saturday.Russia began air operations in Syria on Sept. 30 after receiving parliamentary approval. The Kremlin claimed the airstrikes, which followed a military buildup in Syria, aimed to support the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad, a long-standing Russian ally, against DAESH. However, Turkey and the West have accused Russia of targeting moderate fighters opposed to Assad, many of which are supported by Turkey and the U.S.