© Sputnik/ Iliya PitalevClosed checkpoint at Syria-Turkey border
"Warplanes of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have conducted 444 sorties, hitting 1,593 terrorist targets in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Homs, Latakia and Aleppo from February 10 to February 16," Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov.
The Syrian army liberated over 800 square kilometers and 73 villages from terrorists since the beginning of the Russian anti-terrorist campaign, the Russian general said.
The Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said that terrorists in Syria's Idlib and Aleppo continue to receive weapons and reinforcements through the Turkish border.
"At night time, terrorists in Idlib and Aleppo receive weapons, ammunition and reinforcements though the Turkish-Syrian border," Konashenkov said.
He added that militants in Aleppo have carried out a mass evacuation of their familiesto the north of the province toward the Turkish border.
"However, due to the tightening of the control [at the border] by Turkish authorities, mainly wounded militants are let in."
The activity of terrorist groups has dramatically increased in Syria's south and north after a ceasefire deal had been reached in Munich, Konashenkov noted.
"After a framework agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Syriawas reached last week, the activity of terrorists in the south andin the north [of Syria] has dramatically increased."
More details to follow
Perhaps Russia will one day look back with horror at the terrifying devastation it has helped cause to a country with which it has few national interests.