defense minister sergei shoigu briefed vladimir putin in the southern city of sochi. four war ships fired at islamic state targets. 11 facilities belonging to a militant group and al qaeda syrian affiliate were destroyed and he says the missiles flew through iranian and iraqi airspace. the u.s. and other countries criticized russia's escalating military involvement in syria. they say the targets include western-backed rebels. u.s. defense secretary ash carter said russia's strategy in syria is tragically flawed. he says despite what russia says, the u.s. has not agreed to cooperate so long as they continue to pursue their campaign. >>> japan's top diplomat is set to resumed stalled talks with russia on a bilateral peace treaty. deputy foreign minister shinsuke sugiyama began a three-day visit to moscow on wednesday. sugiyama is to meet with his russian counterpart in moscow for the first vice foreign ministerial level talks between the countries in about 20 months. sugiyama is to discuss the territorial issue over four islands controlled by russia. japan claims them.