Tri-Service
Russia Releases Video Of Syrian Aid Convoy But Denies Bombing
Russia has denied it is responsible for the bombing of a UN aid convoy in Syria despite releasing video it claims shows the vehicles travelling with a militant pick-up truck armed with a heavy mortar.
However, the US have said that they believe Russia to be behind the bombing which took place on Monday night.
At least 20 people were killed in the bombings that destroyed the aid convoy.
Whilst Russia continue to deny that they were involved in the attack, the White House insists that it was either Russia or Syria.
Confusion arises from the fact that both the Syrian regime and Russia use the Sukhoi Su-24 fighter, the type of plane the US claims carried out the attacks.
Although both nations use this style of plane, the US have stated that there were strong indicators that the jet was flown by the Russian military.
Within a minute of the strike, the US tracked the Russian-made Su-24 warplane directly over the region of the attack, officials said.
A spokesperson for the White House has said that although the attack could have been carried out by either the Syrian or Russian governments, Moscow will be to blame “in any event”, as they had agreed to ground air operations in areas where aid supplies were being moved.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said:
"We responsibly say that neither the Russian nor the Syrian air force conducted any strikes on the U.N. aid convoy on the southwestern outskirts of Aleppo”
The convoy was part of a routine dispatch operated by the Syrian Red Crescent.
It was carrying food, medicines and other essentials supplied by the UN and the World Health Organisation.
The UN has responded by saying they will be suspending all overland aid deliveries in Syria, placing the food and medical supply for millions of besieged civilians at risk.
The bombing has been labelled an "enormous humanitarian tragedy".
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