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Fight against Islamic state

Russian deputy PM stresses Syria military operation isn't aimed against opposition rebels

The Russian military started an operation against militants of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups in Syria on September 30 at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

© AP Photo/Vladimir Isachenkov

HELSINKI, November 11. /TASS/. Russia is not involved in fighting against rebels in Syria and pursues a goal of stopping the Islamic State terrorist organization, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said on Wednesday, aired by the Finnish Yle television channel.

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"Russia is fighting against Islamic State and our goal is to battle it, to not let it spread and wield influence around the world," Dvorkovich said. "We are delivering strikes in line with intelligence data. We are not fighting against rebels and we are harmonising the information at our disposal with our partners."

The Russian military started an operation against militants of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups (outlawed in Russia) in Syria on September 30 at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The Russian aviation grouping comprises more than 50 aircraft and helicopters, including the Sukhoi Su-34 and Su-24M bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-30SM fighters and Mil Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters.

Besides, overnight to October 7, the Caspian Flotilla ships delivered a massive strike on the IS objectives in Syria, using Kalibr NK shipborne cruise missiles.

The Russian authorities have said on many occasions that Russia’s military forces would not take part in any ground operation in Syria.

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