By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Two Russian planes with humanitarian aid for conflict-torn Syria landed in Damascus Monday, the emergencies ministry said.
The flights were ordered by the Russian government and were coordinated by the foreign ministry. Another Il-76 aircraft will arrive in Syria later in the day. They will bring to over 78 tonnes the total ammount of aid, including tents, blankets, canned food, sugar, baby food and field kitchens.
Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Syria last month and bowed out of an international conference aimed at applying more pressure on the Damascus government over its continued crackdown on anti-government protesters.
Both countries, however, have backed calls for humanitarian aid to be allowed access to the worst-hit areas.
Rights groups say over 7,000 people have been killed in almost a year of unrest, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad blames on “armed terrorist gangs”.