MOSCOW, October 7 (Sputnik) — The Russian operation against Islamic State in Syria has gained efficiency from a technical standpoint, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.
"The Russian operation aimed at support of the Syrian army moved today to a higher quality level from a technology standpoint," Peskov said commenting on Russian cruise missile strikes on Islamic State positions and the launch of a Syrian government troops offensive against IS terrorists.
Peskov also confirmed that the flight trajectory of Russian cruise missiles had been coordinated with Iran and Iraq.
Peskov stressed that Russia's direct military involvement abroad could be considered legitimate only if such actions are authorized by the UN Security Council or carried out on request by a legitimate foreign government.
Russia’s Sukhoi Su-25, Su-24M and Su-34 attack aircraft, with the support of Su-30 jets, commenced precision airstrikes against IS targets in Syria on September 30, following a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.
In contrast, the US-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes against IS in Syria since September 2014 without UNSC authorization and without coordination with legitimate Assad government.
