MOSCOW, November 20./TASS/. Terrorists in Syria are losing $1.5 million daily as Russian warplanes disrupt IS oil sales channels, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday.
"A total of 60,000 tons of oil a day is undersupplied to the black market, and terrorists are losing $1.5 million daily. Simultaneously, terrorist groups are liquidated," he said, noting that "23 gunmen training bases have been destroyed, 19 plants producing armaments and explosives, as well as 47 ammunition depots and other facilities".
"This ensures successful action of the government troops in Syria," he said in a report to the president on the operation in Syria.
According to the minister, Russian warplanes have destroyed 15 Islamic State oil storages and processing facilities and 525 oil trucks in Syria.
"Key efforts are focused on destroying the Islamic State’s financial and economic base. As many as 15 oil storage and processing facilities and 525 oil trucks have been destroyed," he said.
Russia’s Aerospace Forces started delivering pinpoint strikes in Syria at facilities of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organisations - banned in Russia - on September 30, requested by Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave instructions to intensify strikes following the crash of Russia’s A321 airliner above the Sinai Peninsula on October 31, caused by a terrorist act.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin on November 17 that Russia had involved strategic and long-range aircraft in strikes against Islamic State.
Russian military report that strikes are concentrated on facilities of production, processing and transportation of oil controlled by IS. The General Staff has announced the launch of a ‘free hunt’ of Russian warplanes at oil tank trucks belonging to terrorists. According to military, more than 500 such oil tank trucks have been destroyed in just a few days.