(VOVworld) - Russia is not conducting any operations in Syria involving its own ground troops and will not do so, Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov, the head of the lower house of parliament's defense committee, said on Tuesday.

Two Russian SU-25 ground attack aircraft take off from an airbase Hmeimim in Syria. (Photo: Associated Press)

Komoyedov said Russia is trying to block any attempt by its citizens to fight on either side in the Syrian conflict. The statement was made to contest a report by the US’s CNN television channel saying Russia is likely to deploy forces and weapons for ground operations in Syria.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected any possibility that Russia will carry out a ground offensive in Syria. He said Russia will not plunge into Syria’s conflict.