President Vladimir Putin told a meeting of former Soviet nations in Kazakhstan the Russian military has achieved "impressive" results in Syria in the last two-and-a-half weeks.

"Dozens of control facilities and ammunition depots, hundreds of terrorists and a large number of weapons have been destroyed," he said.

Putin attends a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights in Moscow
Mr Putin: 'We'll continue for as long as necessary'

The British Foreign Office has said 85% of Russian airstrikes have taken place in areas where IS is not present, adding there is no evidence of any attacks on Raqqa, the group's stronghold. 

The White Helmets, a volunteer search and rescue group, has said at least 274 civilians have been killed and 707 injured by both Russian and government strikes since 30 September, the day Russian aircraft began their raids.

Video: 'Russian Jets Are Burning My Town'
Mr Putin said the blitz would continue "for the period of the Syrian troops' offensive operations against terrorists," but declined to elaborate.

Russian airstrikes are currently supporting an attack by Bashar al Assad's troops, backed by Hezbollah militants and Iranian fighters, south of Aleppo.

Rebel fighters involved in the latest fighting south of Aleppo were reportedly mainly from the Islamist group Ahrar al-Sham and al Qaeda's Syrian wing, the Nusra Front, as well as the Suqour al-Sham and Failaq al-Sham insurgent groups.

The head of another rebel brigade, Fursan al Haq, which is backed by Assad's foreign opponents and operates under the umbrella of the Free Syrian Army, said his fighters had sent more TOW missiles to the area to try to stem the attack.

Meanwhile, in a newspaper interview, a senior Russian military figure said Russian jets have flown more than 600 sorties since the mission began.


Play video "Sept: Airstrikes Cockpit Video"

Video: Sept: Airstrikes Cockpit Video

Col-Gen Andrei Kartapolov also revealed Moscow could use its ships in the Mediterranean to fire missiles at IS militants.

Russia has already launched missiles at the terrorists from the Caspian sea, flying over Iran and Iraq.

However, those were not believed to have targeted IS fighters and four of them landed in Iran.

When asked if it might do the same from the Mediterranean, Col-Gen Kartapolov he replied: "Without doubt."

The meeting in Kazakhstan came as a US-led coalition reported three air strikes against IS in Syria on Thursday.


Play video "Russian Missiles 'Land In Iran'"

Video: Russian Missiles 'Land In Iran'
In a statement the Combined Joint Task Force said it had also carried out 21 raids on IS targets in Iraq.

The statement said the Syria strikes near Aleppo, Washiyah and Mar'a hit tactical units and an improvised explosive device cluster.

A vehicle and a motorcycle used by Islamic State were also destroyed.

The Iraq strikes were concentrated near Ramadi, where tactical units, fighting positions and an improvised explosive device cluster were hit, along with vehicles.