Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said from late February to early September, about 35,000 terrorists have been killed in clashes with Syrian government forces, backed by Russian aircraft, while nearly 12,000 square kilometers have been also liberated from the ISIL and al-Nusra Front (Fatah Al-Sham Front) terrorist groups.
The Russian official said that a total of 586 settlements and 12,360 square kilometers (some 4,800 sq.miles) have been liberated from the ISIL and al-Nusra Front terrorists from February 27 to September 1, 2016, adding that around 35,000 terrorists have been killed, including more than 2,700 natives of Russia and other CIS countries, FNA reports.
Moscow has been conducting an aerial campaign against terrorists in Syria since September 30, 2015, at President Bashar al-Assad's request.
The Russian side has also helped negotiate ceasefire deals in the war-hit country.
Syria has been mired in bloody war since March 2011, with forces loyal to the Damascus government fighting numerous militant groups.
SA - 12