Russian deputy PM praises state-of-the-art Su-35 fighters in Syria

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin highly assessed the capabilities of Russia’s state-of-the-art Sukhoi Su-35 fighters that started fulfilling combat tasks in Syria.

"We sincerely do not advise others to compete with that bird in the Syrian skies," Rogozin wrote on his Facebook page.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov reported on February 1 on Su-35 deployment to Syria.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces started delivering pinpoint strikes in Syria at facilities of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations, which are banned in Russia, on September 30, 2015, on a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The air group initially comprised over 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-24M, Su-25SM and state-of-the-art Su-34 aircraft. They were deployed to the Khmeimim airbase in the province of Latakia.

On October 7, 2015, four missile ships of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla fired 26 Kalibr cruise missiles (NATO codename Sizzler) at militants’ facilities in Syria. On October 8, the Syrian army passed to a large-scale offensive.

In mid-November 2015, Russia increased the number of aircraft taking part in the operation in Syria to 69 and involved strategic bombers in strikes at militants.

Targets of the Russian aircraft include terrorists’ gasoline tankers and oil refineries.

Russia’s aircraft have made thousands of sorties since the start of the operation in Syria.