Shoigu told Rossia 1 television on August 12 that the amount of territory regained by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since June is twice as large as that which was controlled by Damascus in September 2015, when Russian forces began aiding Syrian forces with air strikes.
RFE/RL: Russia says Syrian forces recaptured large amount of territory in recent months
Russian President Vladimir Putin (C), Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) and Commander in Chief of the Russian Navy Vladimir Korolev (L) watch a terrestrial globe while visiting Russia's Navy Headquarters during Navy Day in Saint Petersburg on July 30.
