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Russian bombers hit IS chemical ammunition plant in Raqqa — ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry reports the attack eliminated a warehouse, a large number of militants were killed

Russia’s long-range Tupolev-22M3 bomber Ladislav Karpov/TASS

Russia’s long-range Tupolev-22M3 bomber

© Ladislav Karpov/TASS

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Russian strategic bombers deliver new strikes at IS militants in Syria

MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. Russia’s long-range Tupolev-22M3 bombers have hit a number of Islamic State targets, including a chemical ammunition plant near Syria’s Raqqa, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press-service has told the media.

"Six long-range bombers Tupolev-22M3 took off from a base in Russia to deal a pinpoint strike with high-explosive fragmentation bombs against facilities of the terrorist group called Islamic State southeast, north and northwest of Raqqa," the Defense Ministry said.

"The attack eliminated a large warehouse containing weapons, ammunition and fuel and lubricants near Raqqa, a chemical ammunition plant on the northwestern outskirts of the city, and a large field training camp. The terrorists suffered heavy material damage. A large number of militants were killed," the Defense Ministry said.

Russia’s Sukhoi-30SM and Sukhoi-35S from the Hmeymim air base provided support.

"After the mission all Russian planes returned to base," the Defense Ministry said.

It was a second sortie this month. On August 8 Tupolev-22M3 bombers attacked facilities of the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia) near Palmyra. Previously, Russian long-range bombers were used in Syria on July 12, 14, and 21.

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