Russia said late Monday that it had killed "up to 200 terrorists" in Syria during airstrikes on a base northeast of Palmyra, where fighters were allegedly planning attacks ahead of presidential polls next month.
"After confirming data through multiple channels on the location of terrorist facilities, Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft carried out airstrikes," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"Two hideouts were destroyed, up to 200 militants, 24 pickup trucks with large-caliber machine guns, as well as about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of ammunition and components for creating improvised explosive devices," it added.
The statement neither specified the date of the strikes nor the group that was targeted.