Russian Long-Range Bombers Launch Cruise Missile Strikes on Daesh in Raqqa

Russian Tu-95MS long-range bombers have launched cruise missile strikes on Daesh targets near the Syrian city of Raqqa, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Russian strategic bombers destroyed several terrorist camps, training centers and a command post of one of the major terrorists' units near Daesh's de facto capital of Raqqa.

The ministry said that "reconnaissance means have confirmed the destruction of all designated [terrorist] targets" near Raqqa.

The strikes have been carried out by brand new Kh-101 cruise missiles.

The long-range bombers that took off from a Russian airfield flew over Iraq and Iran. After launching cruise missile strikes on Daesh targets, the bombers returned to Russia.

"Su-30SM and Su-35S provided air cover to the Russian bombers from the Hmeymim airbase."

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said that Russian and US-led coalition's militaries used mechanism on safety of flights over Syria to avoid any incidents near Raqqa, where the coalition is also conducting airstrikes.

De-confliction of air ops w/Russia continue. Today they conducted ops in vicinity of #Raqqah. So did @CJTF-OIR.

— OIR Spokesman (@OIRSpox) February 17, 2017

Russia and the US signed the bilateral memorandum of understanding in October 2015 to ensure flight safety during combat missions over Syria.