Russia rebuts UK's accusations over Syria

Xinhua News Agency

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The British authorities have failed to prove the involvement of Russian military in attacks against civilians in the Syrian city of Aleppo, reported Russian media Monday, citing Russian Ambassador to Britain.

Last week, members of the British parliament accused Russia, along with the Syrian government, of deliberately striking against civilians in Syria, which British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson termed as "war crimes."

In an open letter to the British MPs published on the embassy's website on Saturday, ambassador Alexander Yakovenko said the Russian embassy had formally requested the British Foreign Office to provide the proof that supports the allegations made by Johnson.

"The whole point of the response received by us is that the British side is not in possession of such evidence," the ambassador said.

He added that the embassy had also requested the information from the social networks used by Johnson to accuse Russia of attacking a United Nations humanitarian convoy near Aleppo on Sept. 19, but the Russia side "is still waiting for a reply."

"Serious accusations must be supported by strong evidence," said Yakovenko. who added that otherwise Moscow would consider these accusations to be "outright lies" that serve to protect the terrorist group and, "probably, the British military personnel in Syria."

(APD)