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Fight against Islamic state

Russian, US defense officials discussed security of using aviation in Syria — ministry

According to the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, "the discussion was constructive and lasted for about an hour"

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Syritsa

MOSCOW, October 2. /TASS/. Russian and US defense ministry officials on Thursday held a videoconference to discuss the safe operation of air forces in Syria. The conversation lasted about one hour, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov told the media on Friday.

"Yesterday, at the initiative of the American side, there was a video conference of Russian Defense Ministry and Pentagon officials. Safe use of aviation over Syrian territory and the role of the newly-created information center in Baghdad were discussed," Konashenkov said.

The discussion was constructive and lasted for about one hour, he added.

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Earlier, the Pentagon said the two countries’ military held "professional and cordial" consultations over operations in Syria. The US Department of Defense said the contact was established on instructions from the US and Russian presidents through a closed video communication channel and lasted a little more than one hour.

The Pentagon said steps to ensure the safety of air crews operating over Syria were discussed.

Russian and US military officials presented their considerations on that score and agreed to provide replies within days.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces started dealing daytime pinpoint strikes against facilities of the Islamic State terrorist group, outlawed in Russia, on Wednesday September 30. The air group in Syria incorporates more than 50 planes and helicopters, including Sukhoi-24M, Sukhoi-25, and multi-functional Sukhoi-34. Over the past day, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, attacks were mounted against twelve targets.

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