Moscow. April 16. INTERFAX-The military operation in Syria has helped the Russian army to strengthen morale, test weapons and make a qualitative step in development, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"The operation in Syria is a separate milestone. A separate one, because this is what allowed us to make a very serious qualitative step forward. Something that allowed us to test people, weapons, the entire system of education and combat training. But the main thing is, of course, to return and revive the incomparable Russian fighting spirit, " Shoigu said in an interview published on the website of the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.
Russia has been conducting a military operation in Syria since September 30, 2015. The Russian Federation in Syria has an air base at the Khmeimim airfield and a naval base in the port of Tartus.
"Speaking about the Crimea, I must start with the most important thing. With thanks to our Supreme Commander-in-Chief for entrusting this work. And without exaggeration, I will say that our president actually managed this operation on an hourly basis, " Shoigu said.
