The Latest: Russian planes back Syria's battle for Palmyra

The Latest on the conflict in Syria as U.N.-brokered peace talks in Geneva carry on into their fifth day (all times local):

Russia's Defense Ministry says its warplanes in Syria are flying in support of the Syrian army's offensive to try recapture ancient city of Palmyra from the Islamic State group.

Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi says Russian aircraft based in Syria are conducting 20-25 sorties a day in support of the Syrian military's offensive.

That's despite a Russian drawdown in Syria that President Vladimir Putin ordered this week in support of the Geneva talks.

Rudskoi told reporters in Moscow on Friday that the Syrian army has seized key hilltop points near Aleppo and has cut supply routes leading to the IS-held city. He says the Syrian army is close to taking control of the city from the Islamic State group.