Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to portray the airstrikes as a pre-emptive attack against the Islamic State militants who have taken over large parts of Syria and Iraq.

But U.S. officials and others cast doubt on that claim, saying the Russians appeared to be attacking opposition groups fighting Syrian government forces.

Earlier in the day, Russian leaders told the United States to get its warplanes out of Syria immediately in a new sign that the Kremlin is growing more aggressive in its push for dominance there.

That report came from a senior military official who told Fox News that Russian diplomats issued the demand through an official protest to the United States.

It all comes as Russian lawmakers voted unanimously Wednesday to give President Vladimir Putin a green light to send troops into Syria. Russia had already been building up its military presence there to help their ally, Assad, hold on to power.

Putin discussed his plan to fight ISIS with President Barack Obama at the U.N. General Assembly in New York this week.

That came after U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter had a 50-minute phone call last week with his Russian counterpart, the first such military-to-military discussion between the two countries in more than a year.

Washington has reportedly been hoping to "deconflict" U.S. and Russian military actions, worried by the threat of Russian and U.S. jets clashing inadvertently over Syrian skies.

Israel has taken similar precautions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting Moscow last week to agree with Putin on a coordination mechanism to avoid any possible confrontation between Israeli and Russian forces in Syria.

The United States and Russia have competing visions for the Middle East, and Russia's latest military moves are seen as a sign that America is losing influence in the region.

The last time Putin sought approval for troops overseas was when he took the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Turning Point USA Announces Lineup for Rival Super Bowl Halftime Show: 'Experience a One-Of-A-Kind Halftime Event'

Jelly Roll Rocks the Grammys with Passionate Testimony: 'Jesus Is for Everybody'

Chile's Incoming President Appoints Staunch Pro-Lifer as Women and Gender Equality Minister

New US Envoy Arrives in Venezuela to Reopen Embassy after 7 Years

Signs of Forced Entry Found at Arizona Home of 'Today' Show Host Savannah Guthrie's Mother

Trump's Affordability Push Drops Rents to Four-Year Low

After Years of Silence, the Clintons Face Epstein Questions

'An Unforgivable Evil': Detransitioner Awarded Millions in First Malpractice Case

Things Heating Up with Iran as IRGC Drone Headed Toward USS Abraham Lincoln Shot Down by US Navy

'Melania' Film a Huge Success, Shocking Hollywood Press on Opening Weekend

Give Him 15: Sanctifying the Night with the 'Big Ben Moment' of Prayer for America

Trump Issues Executive Order to Expedite Rebuilding after Los Angeles County Wildfires

CA, NY Set to Lose Congressional Seats after Mass Migration to Southern States

NYC Democrat Wants Newsmax Banned in Taxis

DHS: 6,947 Criminal Illegal Aliens Released into NY Since Jan. 20, with Thousands More to Come

President Trump's HHS Rescinds Biden-Era Abortion Pill Rule That Forced Pharmacies to Supply It

Shocking Email from Epstein Files Implicates Former US Ambassador, Clintons, Bidens, and More

First Lady: 'Melania' Documentary Movie is 'Emotional,' 'Cinematic'

A Different Kind of Classroom Is Outperforming Expectations

Elon Musk's Warning to Parents: 'Woke Programming Is Everywhere in Children's 'Educational Shows,' Even Peppa Pig