Seventy-two terrorist targets have been hit in six Syrian provinces over the past 24 hours, Russia’s Defense Ministry reports.

During over 50 sorties, the Russian Air Force attacked militants’ locations in such Syrian provinces as Hama, Idlib, Latakia, Aleppo, Damascus and Deir ez-Zor, Major General Igor Konashenkov said in an interview with Rossiya 24 channel.

Reporting on its activities in Syria against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) jihadists and other terrorists, Russia’s Defense Ministry denied US allegations that cluster bombs had been used during the operation in areas with civilian population.

The Russian military has provided an opportunity for foreign journalists to observe the work of its air force in Syria, the official said. International reporters were let to the Khmeimim Airbase, where the Russian Air Force is based, he added.

On Wednesday, speaking on the advances of the Russian operation in Syria, the MoD also mentioned that a new challenge had been observed by its intelligence. IS commanders have been in talks with members of other terrorist groups, including Al-Nusra Front, to unite their forces against Syrian government troops, Konashenkov said.