UNHCR Refutes Idea That Russian Strikes Are Worsening Syrian Refugee Crisis

A Recent media claims that Russia's attack on ISIL targets in Syria have inflamed the refugee crisis are just not true, according to UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming.0,000 figure for internally displaced Syrians two weeks ago, but updated numbers have not yet become available, according to UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming.

BARCELONA (Sputnik) – There are no indications that a higher number of refugees are fleeing Syria in the wake of Russia's anti-terror air campaign, launched over a month ago, UN refugee agency UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told RIA Novosti in an interview Tuesday.

”There has been some internal displacement. But we don’t have any indications of directly people fleeing over the borders as a result of the bombings,” Fleming said, noting the difficulty of naming the exact cause of displacement.

Fleming cited a 30,000 figure for internally displaced Syrians two weeks ago, but said updated numbers have not yet become available.

Russian warplanes launched airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIL) and other militant groups at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad on September 30.

Since the beginning of the air campaign, Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out around 1,800 sorties, destroying some 2,700 terrorist targets, according to the General Staff. Several hundreds of militants have been killed, and dozens of command centers and depots have been destroyed.