08 October, 2015
Four Russian cruise missiles fired from a Russian ship crashed in Iran.
The cruise missiles were intended to reach Syria. Russia launched its missiles in the Caspian Sea.
A U.S. official told VOA the missiles fell well short of their targets. The official said there has been no information yet on damage. It is not clear where in Iran the missiles landed.
In this photo made from the footage taken from Russian Defense Ministry official website, a Russian navy ship on the Caspian Sea launches a cruise missile toward Islamic State targets in Syria, the ministry said, Oct. 7, 2015.
The Russian Defense Ministry has denied that any of the missiles had fallen short of their targets.
On Wednesday, Russia increased its air campaign in Syria. It is now using heavy aerial bombing and cruise missile strikes.
It is the first time Russia has used cruise missiles in combat. Russia's efforts are in support of a major ground operation by the Syrian military.
Russian officials said on Wednesday that 26 cruise missiles had been launched at 11 Islamic State targets in northern Syria.
I'm Jim Tedder.
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Words in This Story
cruise missile - n. a low-flying missile that is guided to its target by an on-board computer.
aerial - adj. performed using an airplane