Syria crisis: Russia launches 26 cruise missiles in Caspian SeaOctober 7, 2015 - 18:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian military, sharply escalating its military intervention in Syria, launched 26 medium-range cruise missiles on Wednesday, October 7 from four warships in the Caspian Sea, while providing air support for a ground offensive by pro-government forces, the New York Times reports. Russian officials said the missiles — which traveled more than 900 miles, through Iranian and Iraqi airspace — struck 11 targets in Syria, but they did not specify which groups were hit. It was not clear whether the missile strike was coordinated with the ground offensive, which was reported by antigovernment activists and insurgents around the central province of Hama, as well as by the television station of Hezbollah, an ally of Syria based in Lebanon. The Kremlin would not confirm that a ground offensive had begun, though a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry, Maria V. Zakharova, said that “coordination is taking place with the Syrian Army, that is unequivocal.” The news of the missile attack came via a televised meeting between the Russian minister of defense, Sergei K. Shoigu, and President Vladimir V. Putin. “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, referring to naval crew members. Mr. Shoigu said that no civilians had been injured in the assault. The ground offensive in Syria is taking place in coordination with Russian warplanes operating from an airfield in western Syria, and the offensive will include the Syrian Army, Hezbollah forces on the ground and Russian airpower, all in coordination with Iran, according to an official with that alliance. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |