Six long-range strategic bombers took off from their bases in Russia to hit militant targets in the Syrian province of Deir al-Zor on Wednesday, Russian news agencies cited the Russian Defence Ministry as saying.

The Tu-22M3 planes flew over Iran and Iraq to hit the targets which included “terrorist” strongholds and depots with weapons and ammunition, TASS news agency reported.

The Russian Defense Ministry released footage on Wednesday of the Tu-22MZ bombers taking off and dropping bombs on ISIS group positions outside the militant-held town of Boukamal (Abu Kamal) on the border with Iraq.

Syrian government forces are battling the militants outside the town.

Russia has been providing air cover for the Syrian government’s operations against ISIS and rebels since 2015 but it has mostly used an airfield in Syria.

The Russian military said the airstrikes destroyed the militants’ command posts and ammunition depots.

source: AFP