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![Sukhoi-24 fighters, such as the one above, have flown hundreds of sorties over Syria and destroyed a number of Islamist rebel bunkers, the Russian military said. But on Saturday, American and Russian fighter jets flew in the same battle zone [Xinhua]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/136104279_8-e1443729774516.jpg)
Sukhoi-24 fighters, such as the one above, have flown hundreds of sorties over Syria and destroyed a number of Islamist rebel bunkers, the Russian military said [Xinhua]
“We considered all possible threats. We have sent not only fighters, attack planes, bombers and helicopters, but also missile defense systems,” Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev, the commander-in-chief of Russia’s Airspace Force told Komsomolskaya Pravda daily.
Bondarev added Russian military commanders have taken into account the possibility of terrorist groups hijacking combat aircraft in a neighboring country of Syria with the aim of launching strikes against Russian air force deployed in the Middle East.
“There can be different emergencies, such as hijacking the jet on the territory of a neighboring country or an attack on it,” he said. “We should be prepared for this.”
Russia launched airstrikes in Syria since September 30 at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
A host of Russian fighter jets are deployed at the Hmaimim air base near the coastal city of Latakia.
Russia says its efforts are aimed at bringing about a political settlement in Syria, towards which Moscow is planning to host talks next week between Syrian government representatives and opposition leaders.
The civil war in the country has killed 250,000 people and forced millions to flee.
TBP and Agencies
