Russia Expands Syria Campaign by Firing Missiles From Caspian Sea
- Missiles fired from Caspian Sea hit 11 targets on Wednesday
- U.S. defense secretary rejects suggestion of joining coalition
In this photo made from the footage taken from Russian Defense Ministry official web site, on Oct. 7, 2015, a Russian navy ship launches a cruise missile in the Caspian Sea.
Photograph: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via APRussia added a new dimension to its military campaign in Syria with warships firing cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea, while President Vladimir Putin urged the U.S. and countries in the region to form a coalition against Islamic State and other militant groups.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported that Russian bombers had hit 112 targets in Syria since the campaign began on Sept. 30 and that “the intensity of the strikes is increasing.” Naval vessels in the Caspian 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) away fired 26 missiles at 11 objects on Wednesday, destroying them all, Shoigu said.