A Russian guided-missile frigate fired three cruise missiles on targets on ISIS positions Syrian city of Deir al-Zor, according to a Tuesday release from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
A video released by the MoD shows the Black Sea-based frigate Admiral Essen (751) launching three Kalibr NK SS-N-30A cruise missiles from a position in the Mediterranean Sea. The Kremlin said the missiles struck targets near the East Syrian city that has been mostly controlled by ISIS forces. ISIS has held a force of Syrian Army forces and civilians under siege in the city since 2014.
Syrian Army forces with the assistance of their Russian allies have reportedly broken through ISIS lines to reach Syrian forces under siege.
“The group is being fought in Syria by government forces, backed by allies Iran and Russia, and separately by a U.S.-led alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters,” reported news wire Reuters.
“Islamic State still holds half of Deir al-Zor city and much of the province, however, as well as parts of its former stronghold Raqqa to the northwest, where the U.S.-backed offensive is being fought.”
Russia’s support for the Syrian forces loyal to embattled President Bashar al-Assad forces has served as an operational showcase for the ship-launched cruise missile.
The Tuesday launch from Admiral Essen follows a late May launch from the same frigate and a Kilo-class submarine of four missiles.
The subsonic Kalibr missile has similar characteristics and ranges as the U.S. Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM).
The missile made its first combat appearance in 2015 when Russian warships launched 26 of the missiles on routes more than 900 miles long to strike targets in Syria and Iraq from the Caspian Sea.
