50 dead as Russian missiles hit hospitals and schools in Syria: UN
The organisation accused Russia of violating international law, while the Turkish foreign ministry called the indiscriminate bombings 'obvious war crime'.
The United Nations said Russian missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in Syria on Monday, killing as many as 50 people, reported Reuters. The UN accused Russia of violating international law by firing missiles at children's hospitals and refugee shelters in rebel-held areas. However, Russia on Tuesday denied the report, and said "those who make such statements are not capable of backing them up with proof". The Turkish Prime Minister had earlier accused Russia of acting like a "terrorist organisation" in the worn-torn country, while the Turkish foreign ministry condemned the indiscriminate bombings as "obvious war crime".
Russia, however, contended the allegations saying that their forces were only targeting Islamic State infrastructure. Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said she has no reason to believe that their planes have bombed civilian sites as that would go against their ideology. On February 12, world powers, including Russia, agreed to a partial ceasefire to begin within a week so that humanitarian aid can reach those affected by the conflict. However, Russia said the cessation does not apply to its airstrikes and that it would keep attacking ISIS.