Russian IL-76 transport jet
© Sputnik/ Iliya Pitalev
Russia's military transport aviation has carried out over 280 sorties to prepare infrastructure of Syria's Hmeimim airbase and has transferred there almost 14,000 metric tons of cargo, a Russian Aerospace Forces spokesman said Saturday.

"In preparation for the Hmeimim airfield's infrastructure on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic crews of IL-76 and AN-124 Ruslan [aircraft] have carried out over 280 sorties and transported 13,750 tons of cargo," Col. Igor Klimov told reporters.

Moscow has been carrying out a military campaign against the Daesh, also known as ISIL/The Islamic State terrorist group, which is outlawed in Russia and a number of other countries, since September 30, at the request of the Syrian President Bashar Assad.