Russian airstrikes destroy IS command centre in Syria

The Russian defence ministry on Saturday confirmed that its latest airstrikes in Syria destroyed an Islamic State (IS) command centre.

"Russian warplanes have carried out more than 20 flights to attack nine IS sites in Syria over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement.

"Surgical strikes carried out by Su-34 fighter bombers near the town of Raqqa destroyed a command post of the IS gangs," it said.

An underground bunker with a warehouse of explosives and ammunition was also destroyed during the strikes, Xinhua news agency reported.

The airstrikes were launched late Friday and early Saturday.

The ministry added that it destroyed military equipment and weapon depots, as well as logistics facilities of IS militants in Idlib Province.

Along with the statement were two video footages released by the ministry, which were taken by camera drones monitoring the results of airstrike missions in the Raqqa and Jisr al-Shughour cities of Idlib Province.

Russia started airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday after the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, granted President Vladimir Putin the right to send troops abroad following a request by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Over 50 Russian aircraft and combat helicopters have been deployed at Syria's Hmeymim airbase.