in the back . " Russian jets have been striking rebel and jihadi fighters for four months in Syria , including Islamic State militants as well as fighters backed by Turkey and Gulf Arab states , angering the Turkish government . Konashenkov said Russian aircraft had carried out 237 sorties in Syria over the past three days , hitting 875 " terrorist " targets in the provinces of Aleppo , Latakia , Homs , Hama , and Deir al - Zor , Konashenkov said .