MOSCOW, October 6. /TASS/. Russia’s competent authorities counter the penetration to the Middle East, in particular to Syria, of Russian nationals who intend to take part in the fighting on either side, Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, former commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Vladimir Komoedov told reporters on Tuesday.

"As for possible attempts by Russian citizens, for the sake of money or proceeding from their ideological views, to penetrate into the territory of Syria, Iraq, Libya and other countries in the region engulfed in turmoil and military conflicts through the fault of the "far-sighted" policy of the United States and to take part in the hostilities on this or that side, the Russian competent authorities, according to the information I have, do their utmost to prevent them. And this is the right thing to do," he said.

Komoedov noted that "Russia’s ground operation in Syria was out of the question." "This has been stated clearly," he added.

On September 30, the upper house of the Russian parliament unanimously gave the president approval to use the Russian Armed Forces abroad. Kremlin chief of staff Sergey Ivanov noted "it was solely the operation of the Russian Air Force" against Islamic State in Syria at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

On the same day, the Russian Aerospace Forces began to carry out pinpoint strikes on the targets of the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria. The Russian Defense Ministry earlier said the Russian aviation group included more than 50 aircraft and helicopters. According to Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov, air strikes are delivered on military equipment, communication centers, transport, depots of arms, ammunition and oil and lubricants belonging to terrorists. Over the past few days, Russian aircraft have attacked dozens of terrorist targets.