Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups. On February 27, a US-Russia brokered ceasefire came into force in Syria. Terrorist groups such as Daesh, as well as Jabhat Fatah al Sham (previously known as the al-Nusra Front), both outlawed in Russia and a range of other states, are not part of the deal.
"Rapid deployment of armed forces on a remote territory [Russia's military operation in Syria], fulfillment of tasks in limited time terms can be estimated as a result of the army reform," the document said.
"Russia has been through a period of national recovery and consolidation, and having new economic, civilization and military might it seeks to transform into an influential power in a bid to build a prosperous nation," the document added.
