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ICRC Says Criticism Against Its Reaction on Attack on Russian Hospital Unfounded

© REUTERS / SANAA general view shows the damage at a Russian military field hospital after it was shelled by what the Russian Defence Ministry said were Syrian rebels in Aleppo, Syria, in this handout picture provided by SANA on December 5, 2016
A general view shows the damage at a Russian military field hospital after it was shelled by what the Russian Defence Ministry said were Syrian rebels in Aleppo, Syria, in this handout picture provided by SANA on December 5, 2016 - Sputnik International
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sees a criticism against its reaction on the recent attack on the Russian hospital in Aleppo as unfounded and reiterates its commitment to the constructive relationship with Russia, ICRC’s Regional Delegation in Moscow said in a statement on Thursday.

A Russian soldier inspects the damage at a Russian military field hospital after it was shelled by what the Russian Defence Ministry said were Syrian rebels in Aleppo, Syria, in this handout picture provided by SANA on December 5, 2016. - Sputnik International
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Monday, a Russian mobile military hospital in Aleppo was shelled, allegedly by the Syrian opposition militants, killing two military medics and wounding another. On Wednesday, head of the Russian Red Cross and member of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights Raisa Lukutsova made a statement, published on the website of the Council, decrying the initial ICRC reaction on the attack as "vague" and even "cynic."

"Since unfounded criticism against the ICRC’s reaction to the tragic event continues, the Head of the ICRC’s Regional Delegation in Moscow, Mr Magne Barth, reiterates … that the attack on the Russian Military Hospital in Aleppo on 5 December 2016 is tragic and unacceptable: the loss of life in this attack is tragic, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as those who were injured," the statement reads.

Barth emphasized that medical workers must imperatively be respected and protected, and it applies universally, no matter who runs the hospital and no matter where the hospital is.

"The ICRC works closely with Russian forces on the ground in Syria. The ICRC is committed to its constructive relationship with the Russian Federation and keen to continue working together for the provision of humanitarian assistance and promotion of humanitarian values," Barth added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the attack, drawing attention to the lack of condemnation from the Western countries.

Moscow believes that the attack on the Russian facility was a planned campaign, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

On December 6, within 24 hours after the attack, the ICRC condemned it and presented its condolences to the families of the victims. Within minutes of the attack, the Head of the ICRC Delegation in Damascus was on site and presented ICRC’s condolences on the spot to the commander of the Russian forces, according to the statement of the delegation in Moscow.

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