MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Calls by the West to stop the anti-terrorist operation in Syria's embattled city of Aleppo resemble attempts to protect militants whose defeat is inevitable, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday.
"The recent calls from a number of Western capitals to stop the counter-terrorist operation in eastern Aleppo resemble more and more the last and desperate attempt to protect and save the terrorists and extremists 'puppets' who are losing battle…," the ministry said in a statement.
Earlier, New Zealand introduced a draft resolution on Syria, co-sponsored by Egypt and Spain, that calls for a minimum 10 days halt of military activities in Aleppo. US Envoy to UN Samantha Power urged the vote without delay.
"Taking into the account the present developments, the aforementioned draft resolution is counterproductive," the Russian Foreign Ministry said commenting on the issue, adding that the vote on the document would run counter to approaches discussed by Moscow and Washington.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said earlier on Monday that alleged Syrian opposition militants had shelled a Russian military hospital killing a combat medic and injuring two others in Aleppo. One of the injured later also succumbed to her wounds.
"Beyond any doubt, militants of the 'opposition' were the one firing. We understand, from whom the militants received accurate data and coordinates of the Russian hospital admission department," he said.
"The blood of our servicemen is also on the hands of those who ordered the killing … On you, patrons of terrorists from the United States, Great Britain, France and other sympathizing countries," Konashenkov said.
Later he said that said those who shelled the Russian hospital in Aleppo and those who ordered the shelling must be held equally responsible.
Konashenkov also called on the international community to condemn the attack.
