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The Latest: Russia’s PM: Syria mission no burden on budget

In this photo made from video footage provided by the Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, a target is hit during an airstrike. Russia has unleashed another barrage of airstrikes against targets in Syria, including the first combat launch of a new cruise missile from a Russian submarine in the Mediterranean Sea, the country's defense minister said Tuesday. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
In this photo made from video footage provided by the Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, a target is hit during an airstrike. Russia has unleashed another barrage of airstrikes against targets in Syria, including the first combat launch of a new cruise missile from a Russian submarine in the Mediterranean Sea, the country's defense minister said Tuesday. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

By Associated Press 1 min read

HOMS, Syria (AP) – The latest developments on the war in Syria. All times local.

12:30 p.m.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Russia’s air force operation in Syria is not a burden on the country’s budget.

The Russian economy, which is forecast to decline 4 percent this year, is going through a difficult time because of Western economic sanctions coupled with low oil prices. Critics have accused the Kremlin of spending taxpayer money on the bombing operation against Islamic State militants in Syria while the budget is scheduled to run a 3 percent deficit next year.

Speaking at a televised press conference in Moscow, Medvedev said by launching the air force operation on Sept. 30, the defense ministry did not go over its planned budget. He said the Russian military has not asked the government for further funds for the campaign.