Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian airstrikes in 2015 aim to secure the stability of Syria President Bashar al-Assad's government. Putin said that Russia has no plans of ground operations, according to CNN.
Based on the numbers released by the Russian Defense Ministry, Russia has sent dozens of fight missions and launched more than 100 airstrikes since it raided Syria on Sept. 30.
"Our task is to stabilize the legitimate government and to create conditions for a political compromise," Putin said in an interview, CNN added. "By military means, of course. The units of international terrorists and their ilk have no desire to negotiate with the Syrian government, who is almost sieged in its own capital."
On Sunday alone, Russia hit 63 ISIS bases, 53 of which were unconquered before. Some of bases that were hit include a command center, four training grounds for ISIS fighters and seven armories.
During a meeting between Putin and Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Mohammed Bin Salman, Salman hinted that al-Assad can stay in his position while ministers of other allies negotiate, Bloomberg reported.
Meeting with Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud pic.twitter.com/Zn140u4yMU
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) October 11, 2015
Intelligence officers in the United States clarified that they were not taken aback by Russia's support of Syria and they had already warned lawmakers regarding the ongoing military operations.
"Any suggestion that the intelligence community was surprised by Russia's military support to the Assad regime is misleading," a U.S. intelligence official said, according to The Daily Beast.
Now Russia leads in diplomatic meetings with Saudi Arabia leaders and continues to call on a political resolution for al-Assad's government.
