Syria: Russian Sukhoi jets set off to target militant positions from Hmeymim

Russian Sukhoi Su-24, SU-25 and Su-34 aircraft were seen taking off and landing at the Hmeymim Air Base in Latakia, Monday, as the Russian Air Force continues its operation against the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and other militant organisations in Syria. The number of strikes has risen through the week with hundreds of missions being undertaken after intelligence gathering operations were ramped up. Russian aircraft have in total conducted more than 1,000 sorties since the campaign began on September 30 after an official request of aid from the Syrian Government, destroying several hundred militant targets, dozens of control centres, warehouses and other militant facilities.