Russia confirms start of airstrikes in Syria
By NATALIYA VASILYEVA, Associated Press
Sep 30, 2015 8:15 AM CDT
United States President Barack Obama, right, and Russia's President President Vladimir Putin pose for members of the media before a bilateral meeting Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)   (Associated Press)

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's defense ministry says its jets are carrying out airstrikes on Islamic State positions in Syria.

Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told Russian news agencies on Wednesday that Russian jets are carrying out targeted airstrikes on the positions, vehicles and warehouses that Russia believes belong to IS militants.

Russia's upper chamber of parliament earlier on Wednesday gave the green light to President Vladimir Putin's request to send Russian troops to Syria.

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