Syria's foreign minister says his country would request Russian troops to fight alongside Syrian soldiers if the need arises.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stressed the need to create a united front to battle terrorist groups in Syria. Lavrov made the comments in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry during which the top diplomats discussed the current situation in Syria. The US State Department did not immediately offer details of the call which was made shortly after the Russian president defended his country’s military assistance to the Syrian government. Vladimir Putin said it is impossible to defeat ISIL terrorist group also known as Daesh without cooperating with Damascus, urging other countries to join the cause. Russia has been actively participating in international efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria, as well as to assist the Syrian army in fighting against Daesh.

Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi says there are no Russian soldiers deployed to his conflict-ridden country.

Russia and China begin the 'active phase' of major military drills in the Sea of Japan and off Russia’s far eastern coast.

A top Russian official says his country has no plans to send troops to Syria to fight Takfiri ISIL terrorists.

The collapse of the building of a Russian military barracks near the Siberian city of Omsk kills at least 23 people.

The United States is planning to send more military equipment to Ukraine, including drones and heavy armored Humvees.

Kiev says 1,500 Russian troops along with military equipment have entered Ukraine.