MOSCOW. Feb 7 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian long-range aviation strikes in the area of Syria's Deir ez-Zor have played a big part in undermining the combat effectiveness and demoralizing units of ISIL [a terrorist group banned in Russia], head of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi said.
"Tupolev Tu-22M3 aircraft conducted 36 sorties during which 34 terrorist sites were destroyed," Rudskoi said at a briefing on Tuesday.
He said that with the Russian Aerospace Forces' active support, the garrison of the Syrian government troops in the besieged Deir ez-Zor has "significantly improved its situation".
The Syrian government forces are currently "continuing to fight for the purpose of fully restoring the lost position," he said.
"The Russian Aerospace Forces' actions in delivering strikes on terrorist sites in Syria will continue," Rudskoi said.