Russian warplanes have carried out 468 sorties, destroying over 1,300 terrorist targets in eight Syrian provinces in one week, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.

"Over the past week, Russian warplanes carried out 468 sorties in the Syrian Arab Republic, including 24 combat missions conducted by long-range Tu-22M3 bombers," Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, 1,354 terrorist targets have been destroyed in Syria's provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqa, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor.

"Long-range bomber aircraft units supported the Syrian government troops defending the city Deir ez-Zor. Twenty three major terrorist targets were destroyed in the region as a result of airstrikes conducted by Tu-22M3 bombers flying in from Russia and task air force from the Hmeymim airbase."

Russia delivered more than 200 tons of provisions and medication in January to the Syrian city of Deir az-Zor besieged by Daesh terrorists, Igor Konashenkov said, adding that the aid had been airdropped by Syrian aircraft.

Russia has been strengthening all means of reconnaissance in the Middle East to defeat terrorists, Konashenkov added; Sputnik reported.

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