Russian Jets Continue Strikes on Terrorists in Syria, Conduct 25 Sorties

Russian aviation will continue strikes on Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorist groups in Syria, carrying out an average of 25 sorties daily, the Russian General Staff said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Rudskoi added that combat aircraft conduct 20-25 daily sorties in support of Syrian ground forces involved in the liberation of Palmyra.

"I would like to emphasize that the Russian Aerospace Forces will continue strikes against Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorist groups in Syria," Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi, head of the Main Operational Directorate, told reporters.

A bulk of Russia’s air groups returned to their home bases after broadly completing counterterrorist objectives in Syria at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s orders this week.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the pullout of the main contingent of Russian forces from Syria, stating they had accomplished their anti-terrorism mission.

Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Col. General Viktor Bondarev said the withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria will be completed within two to three days.

Russia had conducted an aerial campaign against terrorists in Syria since September 30, 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.