RUSSIA warplanes have joined US forces for their first ever combat mission in Syria – just two days after Donald Trump became President.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the coordinated attacks, which also reportedly involved Turkish forces.
A total of three Russian attack aircraft – consisting of two Su-24Ms and a Su-34 bomber – joined two Turkish F-16s and two F-4s in the strikes.
They successfully took out 22 ISIS targets.
Shortly after this, Russia was given enemy coordinates from US intelligence, which were used to launch another attack with the US-led coalition planes.
“Received coordinates of Daesh targets in Al-Bab, Aleppo province, via the ‘direct line’ from the US-led coalition headquarters”
Russia Defense Ministry
Russia Defense Ministry said in a statement: “On January 22, the Russian command center at the Khmeimim airbase has received coordinates of Daesh targets in Al-Bab, Aleppo province, via the ‘direct line’ from the US-led coalition headquarters.
“After further data verification with the assistance of unmanned aircraft and space reconnaissance, the Russian Aerospace Forces and two jets of the international coalition have conducted airstrikes on the terrorists’ targets.”
The operation comes just two days after Trump officially became US President on Friday.
Trump has repeatedly spoken of his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin – in a major shift in position from Barack Obama.
Just a day after Trump was sworn in, Putin confirmed he was ready to meet his American counterpart so they can discuss smashing ISIS together.
The latest Syria op shows relations between the two countries have well and truly thawed as they focus on crushing their common enemies together.
Source> http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/581235/russia-us-syria-coalition-air-strikes-trump-putin-alliance
