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Fight against Islamic state

Kremlin rules out Russian military’s participation in ground operations in Syria

The possibility of a ground operation has never been discussed, the spokesman said

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Artyom Korotayev/TASS

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© Artyom Korotayev/TASS

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MOSCOW, November 20 /TASS/. Kremlin has completely ruled out the Russian military’s participation in a ground operation in Syria, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday.

"It’s an absolute no. The possibility of a land operation has never been discussed and it is still not discussed," Peskov stressed.

The Russian military launched an operation against the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (both organizations are banned in Russia) militants at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on September 30. The Russian air group includes more than 69 aircraft, including Su-34 and Su-24M bombers; Su-25 attack aircraft; Su-30SM fighter jets; Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters. Ten Russian Navy ships are also involved in the operation, six of them in the Mediterranean.

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