The Kremlin said on Friday that Russian warplanes were bombing "terrorist organisations" in Syria ahead of a ceasefire, but dismissed reports that Moscow's air force had conducted intense strikes on rebel strongholds.

"The Russian air force is certainly continuing its operation in Syria" against "terrorist organisations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, after the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian warplanes targeted rebels ahead of a truce deal entering into force.