MOSCOW/DAMASCUS (Dispatches) -- The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video showing unique footage of the Su-57 5th-generation fighter jet in its first combat operation in Syria.
According to a news release put out by the Russian Defense Ministry, the sorties of modern Su-57 5th-generation fighter jets were carried out in order to prove announced possibilities of the newest aircraft in a real combat environment.
"During the flights, pilots checked aircraft performances, smart data management system, operation of on-board systems, including armament at high temperatures, complicated underlying surface and other factors,” said in a statement.
A Russian Air Force official confirmed that the Su-57, in its first combat operation, was used over Syria during operations against Daesh and other militants.
Crews of newest Russian-made Su-57 5th-generation fighter jet made over 10 sorties in Syria.
"Su-57 is the Russian advanced air complex of the fifth generation designed for elimination of all types of air, ground and maritime targets. It high maneuverability, supersonic capabilities as well as modern on-board systems and stealth capability provides high efficiency and air superiority,” the statement said.
In August, the Russian Aerospace Forces Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Viktor Bondarev stated that the Russian T-50 5th-generation fighter had received the index of Su-57.
In Syria, At least 25 militants were killed in an "unprecedented” infighting between pro-Turkey groups over influence in Syria’s northern town of Afrin, a pro-opposition monitoring group said.
The Turkish army and the so-called Free Syrian Army units which are backed by Ankara established full control over Afrin in March after more than two months of battles with U.S.-backed militants.
The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Sunday that clashes between the majority of the pro-Ankara militants and a group of about 200 fighters in several districts had left 25 dead.
According to the Britain-based group, the 200 militants were accused of "disobeying" Turkish troops and "committing abuses."
Observatory head Rami Abdul Rahman described the heavy clashes as "unprecedented since the rebels seized Afrin."
"The clashes provoked terror among civilians," he said, adding that "Turkish tanks are patrolling the streets of the town."
The fighting comes amid a curfew imposed by Turkish forces stationed in Afrin on civilians since Saturday evening, according to the observatory.
The United Nations and human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have documented widespread abuses since the capture of the northern city by the Ankara-backed militants.
Turkey-led forces reportedly went on a rampage in Afrin, pillaging shops and homes after capturing the city.
According to a report by the UN Commission of Inquiry, half of the enclave's 320,000 residents fled and most are unable to return.
Turkey began the so-called Operation Olive Branch against Afrin on January 20 to cleanse the northern Syrian border of U.S.-backed Kurdish militants whom it associates with the homegrown Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighting for autonomy on Turkish soil.
The Turkish operation was launched without permission from the Syrian government. It has also pitted Ankara against Washington, which supports the Kurdish militants.
On Saturday, Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar expressed indignation at photos showing US troops dining with Kurdish militants near the Turkish border in Syria.
The U.S. has been arming and training Kurdish militants under the banner of helping them fight the Daesh terror group, but Syria and several other countries see ulterior motives behind the deployment.