Russia's military campaign in Syria has escalated after four of its warships targeted Islamic State targets with cruise missiles Wednesday, Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu revealed.
"In addition to the air force, four warships of the Caspian flotilla have been involved," Shoigu said in a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin, adding that the warships carried out 26 cruise missile strikes against 11 targets, according to Times of Israel.
Shoigu said during the meeting that the targets were about 930 miles away from the flotilla and that no civilians were harmed in the strike.
Putin praised the work of his military, claiming that their actions are a sign of Russia's military muscle in the Middle East.
"That we fired from the territory of the Caspian Sea, at a range greater than 1,500 kilometers, and hit targets precisely, this shows high qualifications," Mr. Putin said, The New York Times reported.
As the attacks on ISIS escalate, the U.S. has continued to refuse to assist Russia in the attacks, citing that many of the targets hit during the bombings are allied with the U.S. and are not ISIS.
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter expressed frustration over the development, calling the tactics Russia employed "tragically flawed." However, he said that the U.S. would continue "basic, technical" talks with Russia to ensure the safety of U.S. pilots flying over Syria, according to Voice of America.
Despite the accusations, Russia continues to maintain that none of the targets were identified with rebel groups apart from the Islamic State and insist that despite its efforts to obtain a list of groups that should be avoided in airstrikes, the U.S. has failed to give a response.
"If there are some forces that also have weapons in their hands and are on the ground fighting, as the coalition says, with the Islamic State, and they should not be touched, then wonderful," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria V. Zakharova said. "Give the list, give the call signs of these people. Tell us where are they located, explain why we shouldn't be touched. Indeed, this information is not provided."
