Russian submarine arrived in the eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday and began striking Islamic State targets in Syria, marking the first time that Russia has used submarines in its fight against the terrorist group. (more)

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed that its navy had used a submarine for the first time to strike ISIS targets in Syria. Russia’s defense ministry later released a video that showed Kalibr cruise missiles being launched from a Russian submarine off Syria’s coast.

The development comes just over 2 months after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a bombing campaign aimed at taking down the Islamic State in Syria. Since then, ISIS militants have set their sights at Russia, taking down a Russian airliner and beheading a Russian hostage.

James Valles Reporting