Syria: Russian jets set off on missions from Hmeymim airbase

Russian Sukhoi Su-24, SU-25 and Su-34 aircraft were seen taking off and landing at the Hmeymim Airbase in Latakia, Wednesday, as the Russian Air Force continued 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, while the Syrian Arab Army has made gains on the ground.