Russia on Tuesday rebuffed claims that its warplanes struck a hospital in northern Syria in airstrikes the previous day that killed at least nine people
Syrian government forces captured a strategic mountain in the country’s northwest on Wednesday, inching closer to a rebel-held stronghold in the coastal province of Latakia
The answer from Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was blunt. Asked on Nov. 3 if saving Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, was a matter of principle for the Russians, Zakharova replied: “Absolutely not, we never said that.”
Sleek combat jets loaded with precision bunker-buster bombs roar into the skies as soldiers in mint desert-style uniforms march past rows of neat housing at this Russian military base at one of Syria’s largest airports.
Syrian forces are in the midst of a major offensive against rebels and terrorist organizations, including the ISIS, after Russia started bombing targets on the Assad regime’s behalf.