Russia’s largest warship, an aircraft carrier capable of carrying dozens of fighter jets, will launch airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Syria, according to a source.

The military diplomatic source told TASS, a Russian news agency, the Admiral Kuznetsov will be stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. Close to Syrian shores, Russia will work with pilots from Syria’s Khmeimim airbase to deliver the attacks.

The warship is expected to launch airstrikes from October 2016 to January 2017.

The ship., which is 55,000-tonnes when operational, will be outfitted with 15 Su-33 and MiG-29K/KUB fighter jets and more than ten attack helicopters Ka-52K, Ka-27 and Ka-31, according to the source.

TASS did not get official confirmation of the information.

The Soviet-era aircraft carrier was built in 1985 but has been modernized in recent years.

Source : nationalpost.com