Russia has launched co-ordinated missile strikes against rebels in Syria, with Moscow for the first time using its only aircraft carrier in combat, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu says.
Shoigu said on Tuesday a frigate had fired cruise missiles, jets from the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia's sole aircraft carrier, had been involved in action, and missiles had been loosed from a mobile land-based missile system inside Syria.
In Washington, Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said he was aware of the announcement, but was still looking into the strikes.
![Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo / AP](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/ITEHGVR6XXIY7ZLUFQVGD7YBUU.jpg?auth=bf4fb704c8f1523417feb92a848b6bab94041dac512dd881339b174888b4a995&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
"From a pure military perspective, Russia already has significant capabilities inside Syria," Davis said.