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Fight against Islamic state

Defense Ministry: US claims that Russia uses cluster bombs against Syrian civilians absurd

The Russian Defense Ministry also considers it strange that US planes have reduced the number of sorties in Syria

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. The Pentagon’s statements that the Russian Aerospace Forces are allegedly using cluster munition against Syrian civilians are absurd, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on Thursday.

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"The unfounded fantasies of a Pentagon spokesman on the alleged use of cluster munition by our aviation in areas where there may be civilians are completely absurd. An impression is being created that US colleagues have been unable up to now to determine their goals for their war declared against the ISIL [the former name of the Islamic State terrorist organization banned in Russia]," Konashenkov said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV Channel.

The Russian Defense Ministry also considers it strange that US planes have reduced the number of sorties in Syria, he added.

The Russian Defense Ministry is observing a dispatch of IS reinforcements to fight the Syrian government forces, Konashenkov said.

"We see IS attempts to send mobile caravans to the border of engagement with the Syrian forces. That is why, explanations by a Pentagon spokesman that the US military have sharply reduced the number of their aircraft flights because they don’t see targets in Syria today look more than strange," the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.

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Russia's military grouping in Syria

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