Russian Carrier Group Flew 420 Combat Sorties Over Syria Hitting 1000 Targets

Aircraft of the Russian Admiral Kuznetsov carrier battle group flew 420 combat sorties hitting 1000 targets of ISIS and anti-Syrian terrorist groups, the Russian MoD detailed.

The carrier group which includes MiG-29K and Su-33 combat jets is returning from the Mediterranean to its home airbase in Severomorsk in the north of Russia, an MoD press release, reported in various Russian media, said.

"For the first time in the history of the Russian Navy, carrier-based aircraft conducted combat missions by launching strikes directly from the ship on terrorists' headquarters, control centers, groups of militants, hardware, firing positions and terrorist strongholds," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The naval aviation pilots carried out 420 sorties, of which 117 were carried out at night, as well as 750 missions as part of the search and rescue operations and transport support, the ministry said.

Over 40 naval-based aircraft have participated in the mission.

In October 2016, Russia's naval group, consisting of the Admiral Kuznetsov, the Pyotr Veliky battle cruiser, the Severomorsk and the Vice-Admiral Kulakov anti-submarine destroyers, and support vessels, was sent to the Mediterranean.

Since the group's arrival to Syria, the air wing based at the Admiral Kuznetsov had participated in Russia's anti-terror operation until January 6.