MOSCOW. Feb 5 (Interfax) - The precision-guided strikes delivered by the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria last weekend were provoked by terrorists' downing of a Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jet, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
Peskov reminded reporters of President Vladimir Putin's remark that the Russian contingent in Syria would have sufficient capacity to crush terrorists even after the end of the active stage of Russia's support for the Syrian army's counterterrorism operation.
"These are exactly the precision-guided strikes [he] had in mind. You know that they were provoked by the tragic incident in which terrorists downed our plane and the pilot died a heroic death," Peskov said.
He had been asked whether the operations conducted last weekend signified "Russia's broader involvement in the hostilities" in Syria.
"Naturally, we sympathize with the family and friends of the pilot and are proud of our heroes. Naturally, the tragic incident was followed by a resolute effort to stop the terrorist activity," Peskov said.