Russia’s strikes not against civilians: Foreign ministry

Moscow said on Monday that its bombing campaign in Syria was not targeting civilians after monitors said fresh Russian strikes had killed at least 12 children and three adults, including a teacher. 

“Russia does not conduct operations against civilians,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said earlier on Monday that a Russian air strike in Aleppo province had killed at least 12 children and three adults and injured another 20 children and teachers. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Monday it was an “absolute necessity for Syria and Russia to stop their military operations against civilian populations.”