The Russian Defense Ministry said that the air wing of Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov destroyed over 1,000 terrorist targets during its mission in Syria.

"For the first time in the history of the Russian Navy, carrier-based aircraft conducted combat missions by launching strikes directly from the ship on terrorists' headquarters, control centers, groups of militants, hardware, firing positions and terrorist strongholds," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The ministry said that naval aviation pilots carried out 420 sorties, of which 117 were carried out at night, as well as 750 missions as part of the search and rescue operations and transport support.

Over 40 naval-based aircraft have participated in the mission.

Earlier in the day it was reported that the air wing of Admiral Kuznetsov is coming back to the home airbase in Severomorsk in the north of Russia, after carrying out an operation in Syria.

In October 2016, Russia's naval group, consisting of the Admiral Kuznetsov, the Pyotr Veliky battle cruiser, the Severomorsk and the Vice-Admiral Kulakov anti-submarine destroyers, and support vessels, was sent to the Mediterranean. Since the group's arrival to Syria, the air wing based at the Admiral Kuznetsov had participated in Russia's anti-terror operation until January 6.

In January, Russia decided to reduce its military presence in Syria, starting with the pullout of a Northern Fleet carrier group led by the Admiral Kuznetsov.