"A command post of the terrorists and up to 80 (IS) fighters including nine natives of the Northern Caucasus were destroyed in the area of Mayadeen," said the Russian Defence Ministry.

“He has no links with IS.” The advances against IS in Deir Ezzor have resulted in a heavy civilian death toll through Russian and coalition air raids. The Observatory said Russian air strikes on Thursday night killed 14 people, including three children, fleeing across the Euphrates on rafts near Mayadeen.