MOSCOW. Sept 4 (Interfax-AVN) - Syrian troops supported by Russian aviation continue the advancement toward Deir ez-Zor, they succeeded in taking over two strategic heights, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
"In eastern Syria governmental troops backed by Russian Aerospace Forces are developing an attack on the city of Deir ez-Zor," the Defense Ministry said.
The Syrian group of troops under the command of General Hasan Sukhel, which is operating in the south of the Raqqah province, has advanced eight kilometers forward and has taken over strategically important heights over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.