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Conflict in Syria

Diplomat stresses Russia carries out no airstrikes near Aleppo

A diplomat says the Russian Aerospace Forces do not carry out any airstrikes near Aleppo, even though the humanitarian pause is over

© Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

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Kremlin says Russia is likely to break humanitarian pause if Syrian crisis deteriorates

MOSCOW, October 26. /TASS/. The Russian Aerospace Forces do not carry out any airstrikes near Aleppo, but a humanitarian pause is more than the cessation of airstrikes, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday when asked whether the suspension of flights means the extension of the pause.

"Russia’s planes remain on the ground," he said. "A humanitarian pause is more than the suspension of airstrikes."

"The question of whether or not the humanitarian pause is full-fledged, probably, should be addressed to Defense Ministry representatives," Ryabkov noted. "I do confirm, however, that the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out no airstrikes in eastern Aleppo in recent days. Our planes are not flying there."

The humanitarian pauses in the Aleppo area were in effect on October 20-22, the hostilities were suspended between 8am and 7pm. A total of eight humanitarian corridors were established to let civilians and militants leave the city.

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Foreign policy Syrian conflict

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