The Russian President's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian Aerospace Forces' actions against terrorists abroad are in line with international norms, according to RIA Novosti. Peskov explained that under international law, such actions are in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolution and a request by the authorities of the country where the Russian Aerospace Forces' operation takes place. "Russia's actions are based on the principles and norms of international law, and we intend to adhere to these principles in the future," he stressed. Referring to Russia's air operation in Syria, Peskov pointed out that the operation is being carried out in support of a Syrian Army ground offensive, and that the idea of Russia launching a ground operation in Syria is out of the question. "President Putin has repeatedly said that Russia's actions in Syria will only be limited to the Aerospace Forces operation, and that no ground operation will be in place," Peskov said. Separately, when asked about ISIS possible involvement in the recent Russian plane crash in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, he said that the Islamic State is responsible for the export of terrorism from their region to other countries. "ISIS is a terrorist organization that was banned in Russia. And it is obvious that this terrorist group, like other ones such as Al-Nusra, remain strongholds of terrorism in the territories, which they now control," Peskov said. A Russian Airbus A321 passenger jet, en route from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg, crashed in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on October 31, killing all 224 people on board. On Tuesday, Russia confirmed that the plane had been brought down by a terrorist explosive device. President Putin has pledged to find those responsible for the crash in Egypt and exact revenge, regardless of where they are hiding. On September 30, more than fifty Russian aircraft, including Su-24M, Su-25 and Su-34 warplanes, commenced precision airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria at the behest of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Earlier that day, the Russian upper house of parliament had unanimously supported the request of President Vladimir Putin to deploy units of the Russian Aerospace Forces abroad.
