Russia denies involvement in strikes on humanitarian convoy in Syria

Russian war planes in Syria did not conduct any strikes on the UN humanitarian convoy in Aleppo, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said on Tuesday.

"Neither Russian nor Syrian aviation carried out any airstrikes on the UN humanitarian convoy in the southwestern outskirts of Aleppo," Konashenkov said.

"After thoroughly examining the video footages made by the so-called activists on the scene, we found no evidence of any ordnance hitting the convoy of trucks," he said, adding that it is the fire on the cargo together with the large-scale offensive on Aleppo launched by militants caused the consequences.

Konashenkov pointed out that militants from the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group launched a large-scale offensive on Aleppo in this particular sector at about 7:00 p.m. Monday.

Referring to who set the fire that the humanitarian convoy caught on Monday, Konashenkov said it can only be learned from the members of the White Helmet organization, which is close to Jabhat al-Nusra.

According to reports, 18 out of 31 trucks carrying life-saving supplies were destroyed by warplanes in Urum al-Kubra, northwest of Aleppo on Monday.

The evening-attack resulted in the killing of at least one senior humanitarian official working for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent as well as civilian casualties and severe damage to key infrastructure including a hospital. Endit