Russia’s military operation in Syria allowed accomplishing an important task of struggling against militants who came from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted by Tass news agency as saying on Thursday.

"We also accomplished the most important internal task of struggling with bandits coming from Russia and CIS states," Putin said at a meeting with officers on the occasion of their appointment to senior posts.

"The Syrian army has gained the strategic initiative thanks to the Russian Aerospace Force. Terrorist groupings have sustained considerable casualties," the Russian leader said.

Source ; MENA