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Russian missiles 'hit IS in Syria from Caspian Sea' Russian missiles 'hit IS in Syria from Caspian Sea'
(about 1 hour later)
Russia says it has launched rocket strikes on Islamic State group targets in Syria from warships in the Caspian Sea - about 1,500km (930 miles) away.Russia says it has launched rocket strikes on Islamic State group targets in Syria from warships in the Caspian Sea - about 1,500km (930 miles) away.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said four warships fired 26 sea-based cruise missiles on 11 targets, destroying them and causing no civilian casualties.Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said four warships fired 26 sea-based cruise missiles on 11 targets, destroying them and causing no civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, Syrian ground troops have launched an offensive under Russian air cover, Syrian officials say.Meanwhile, Syrian ground troops have launched an offensive under Russian air cover, Syrian officials say.
Russia denies claims that its week of strikes have mainly hit non-IS targets.Russia denies claims that its week of strikes have mainly hit non-IS targets.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported "the most intense fighting in months" in Hama and Idlib provinces. The clashes followed a wave of Russian air strikes in the same areas, it said.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported "the most intense fighting in months" in Hama and Idlib provinces. The clashes followed a wave of Russian air strikes in the same areas, it said.
It appears to be the first co-ordinated offensive since the air campaign by Russia - a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - began on 30 September.It appears to be the first co-ordinated offensive since the air campaign by Russia - a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - began on 30 September.
Russia says it is targeting "all terrorists", but at least some of its air strikes have reportedly hit civilians and Western-backed rebels.Russia says it is targeting "all terrorists", but at least some of its air strikes have reportedly hit civilians and Western-backed rebels.
US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said that coalition forces fighting IS in Syria will not co-operate with Russia. US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said that coalition forces fighting IS in Syria would not co-operate with Russia.
"We believe Russia has the wrong strategy," he said. "They continue to hit targets that are not IS. "We believe Russia has the wrong strategy," he said. "They continue to hit targets that are not IS. We believe this is a fundamental mistake."
"We believe this is a fundamental mistake."
New twist: BBC defence correspondent Jonathan MarcusNew twist: BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus
Russia's decision to attack what it claims to be IS targets in Syria with cruise missiles fired from warships in the Caspian Sea represents a new twist to Moscow's growing involvement in the crisis.Russia's decision to attack what it claims to be IS targets in Syria with cruise missiles fired from warships in the Caspian Sea represents a new twist to Moscow's growing involvement in the crisis.
It is not clear yet why these particular weapons were chosen in preference to air strikes - but the missiles would have had to fly a considerable distance over Iran and then Iraq to reach Syria.It is not clear yet why these particular weapons were chosen in preference to air strikes - but the missiles would have had to fly a considerable distance over Iran and then Iraq to reach Syria.
Sea-launched cruise missiles have long been a favourite US weapon of choice in interventions overseas, so there may be an element of Russia demonstrating that it has the full military panoply of any other "superpower".Sea-launched cruise missiles have long been a favourite US weapon of choice in interventions overseas, so there may be an element of Russia demonstrating that it has the full military panoply of any other "superpower".
But it adds yet a further complication to the air campaign in the skies over Syria. Of more significance may be early signs of Syrian government counter-offensives - aided by their allies - which could be linked to the Russian air campaign.But it adds yet a further complication to the air campaign in the skies over Syria. Of more significance may be early signs of Syrian government counter-offensives - aided by their allies - which could be linked to the Russian air campaign.
High-stakes gamble - Jonathan Marcus says Russia's two Turkish incursions highlight the risk of a potential clash More from Jonathan Marcus:
What can Russia's air force achieve? Why should Russia do any better than the US-led coalition? High-stakes gamble - Russia's two Turkish incursions highlight the risk of a potential clash
What can Russia's military achieve? Why should Russia do any better than the US-led coalition?
Turkish warningTurkish warning
During a televised meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Shoigu said missiles had destroyed all targets - including command and control centres and ammunition depots - and that there had been no damage to civilian installations. During a televised meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Shoigu said the cruise missiles had destroyed all targets - including command and control centres and ammunition depots - and that there had been no damage to civilian installations.
Mr Shoigu said 112 targets had been hit since the Russian bombing began. The Kalibr-Nk terrain-following missiles were fired overnight from the south-western Caspian, and approached their targets at the altitude of up to 50m (160ft) over an "uninhabited area", the defence ministry said.
President Putin praised the Russian military, saying the armed forces were "well prepared". Col Gen Andrey Kartapolov said that "our partners" had been informed prior to the strikes, but did not specify which countries.
Later, the Russian defence ministry's Twitter feed showed footage of cruise missiles being launched, saying they "successfully hit all assigned #ISIS [IS] targets with high accuracy". The Russian defence ministry's Twitter feed showed footage of cruise missiles being launched, saying they "successfully hit all assigned #ISIS [IS] targets with high accuracy".
Col-Gen Andrey Kartopolov said that the cruise missiles targeted IS and al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front sites, including weapons production plants, command centres, ammunition dumps, fuel depots and training bases in the provinces of Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo.
A media outlet linked to IS published images of what it said were the remains of a Scud missile bearing Russian writing that hit the outskirts of the city of Tabqa - about 55km (34 miles) west of the IS-held northern city of Raqqa on Wednesday morning.A media outlet linked to IS published images of what it said were the remains of a Scud missile bearing Russian writing that hit the outskirts of the city of Tabqa - about 55km (34 miles) west of the IS-held northern city of Raqqa on Wednesday morning.
Mr Shoigu also said that Moscow had "established contacts with our Turkish partners". During the meeting with President Putin, Mr Shoigu said 112 targets had been hit since the Russian bombing began.
This comes after Russia's ambassador to Ankara was summoned three times in response to recent violations of Turkey's airspace. In response, the Russian leader praised the country's armed forces for being "well prepared".
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Russia that any "attack on Turkey means an attack on Nato", referring to the alliance's collective defence doctrine, which commits all members to protect one another. In a separate development, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was "ready, through defence ministry channels, to contribute to combination of efforts of the Syrian government army and the Free Syrian Army in fighting IS and other terrorist groups".
Russia's Caspian fleet
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