Speaking on Thursday, Putin thanked Russian military servicemen who are involved in Syrias anti-terror fight, saying they have made a change in the overall situation.
It was possible to radically reverse the situation thanks to their courage, precise and professional actions and valor, he said.More than 90% of Syrias territory is already free from terrorists, he added.
Putinfurther emphasized that Syrias de-escalation zones have been set up in coordination with Syrian authorities while political settlement and civil reconciliation is gaining momentum in the Arab country.
The four safe zoneswere coordinated during the intra-Syrian talks, mediated by Iran, Russia and Turkey, in the Kazakh capitalAstana.
They coverthe provinces of Idlib and Homs as well as the Eastern Ghouta region near Damascus and Syrias southern border with Jordan, which have sharply reduced fighting in the countrys conflict-ridden areas.
"Military operations against terrorists, [who are] are well-equipped, trained and generously sponsored and motivated groups, have shown that the capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces, our army and navy have qualitatively increased, Putin said.
Russian jets havebeen conducting air raids against Daesh and other terrorist groups inside Syria at the Damascus governments request since September 2015.
The airstrikes have helped Syrian forces advance against anti-Damascus militants, who are wreaking havoc in the Middle Eastern state since 2011.
Syrian forces advance against Takfiri elements
Separately on Thursday, Syrian army soldiers and allied fighters managed to wrest control over the T2 oil pumping station in eastern Syria.
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The picture taken on July 8, 2017 shows members of the pro-government Syrian forces holding a security checkpoint in the village of Khirbat al-Sa'ab, on the western outskirts of Raqqah Province. (Photo by AFP)[/caption]A Hezbollah-run news service reported that the fresh gain by Syrian forces had paved the way for their advance towards Daeshs last remaining stronghold in the country.
The pumping station is considered a launch pad for the Syrian army and its allied fightersto advance towards the town of Abu Kamal,... which is considered the last remaining stronghold of the Daesh organization in Syria, the report added.
Abu Kamal is situated in Syrias eastern Dayr al-Zawr Province. The Syrian town is just over the border from the Iraqi town of al-Qaim, which is itself the target of a liberation operation by the Iraqi military.
Additionally, a Syrian military source told the official SANA news agency on Thursday that the pro-government forces had regained control over the Huweijit Saqar district in the city of Dayr al-Zawr.
The fresh gains came following clashes with Daesh terrorists that left scores of them dead and destroyed their fortified positions.
