Russia developing joint military operation in Syria with France: spokesperson

MOSCOW -- A spokesman for Russia's military general staff says it is developing plans for joint military operations in Syria with France.

The statement by Col.-Gen. Andrei Kartapolov on Wednesday comes one day after President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian missile cruiser Moskva, which is deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, to co-operate with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

"When the Charles de Gaulle comes to the shores of Syria, joint military work will be organized," he said, according to Russian news agencies.

Kartapolov also said that Russian warplanes on Wednesday attacked oil extraction, transport and refinement facilities in areas controlled by Islamic State militants.

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  In this photo made from the footage taken from Russian Defense Ministry official web site on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, Russian Tu-22 bombers escorted by the Su-27s fighter jets drop bombs on a target in Syria. (AP/ Russian Defense Ministry Press Service)