President Vladimir Putin says Russia has achieved "a turning point” in the fight against terrorist groups in Syria thanks to the "efficiency and high quality" of its weapons.
Speaking on May 10 at a meeting with military officials, Putin said Russian warplanes had flown more than 10,000 combat missions since Russia's air campaign in Syria began in September.
He said they struck more than 30,000 targets, allowing the Syrian military to drive militants from 500 towns and villages.
Putin said the military also performed 115 launches of long-range cruise missiles to hit targets in Syria.
"Although we realize that the situation there is difficult and the Syrian Army has yet to do a lot more, the main thing is to create conditions for political resolution in that country," the president added.
