MOSCOW. Nov 23 (Interfax) - Russian long-range aircraft on Thursday launched another strike against the ISIL terror group (banned in Russia) in the Deir ez-Zor province in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"The [Tupolev] Tu-22M3 long-range bombers carried out a group strike on ISIL terrorist positions in the Deir ez-Zor province," the ministry said.
The aircraft took off in Russia and flew over 2,000 kilometers before attacking militant positions near the populated locality al-Katiyah, the ministry said
"Isolated targets were struck via precision bombing by the [Sukhoi] Su-24 bombers from Hmeimim air base," the ministry said.
A Tu-22M3 strike destroyed fortified positions and concentrations of terrorist forces and armor, the ministry said. "All designated targets were destroyed, which was confirmed by objective monitoring means," the military said.
Air support for the bombers over Syria was provided by Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters from Hmeimim air base, the statement said.
The last time the Defense Ministry reported a Tu-22M3 strike was last Saturday, when six long-range bombers destroyed ISIL militants and military hardware near the Syrian city of Abu Kemal.