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UK accuses Russia over Syria strikes UK accuses Russia over Syria strikes
(about 1 hour later)
Russia has carried out indiscriminate bombing in Syria that has led to the deaths of civilians, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said. Russia has carried out "unguided" bombing in Syria that has led to the deaths of civilians, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said.
He told the Sun intelligence suggested Moscow had mostly been targeting forces fighting President Bashar al-Assad rather than Islamic State militants.He told the Sun intelligence suggested Moscow had mostly been targeting forces fighting President Bashar al-Assad rather than Islamic State militants.
Russia's involvement would not prevent the UK from making a case for RAF strikes against IS in Syria, he added.Russia's involvement would not prevent the UK from making a case for RAF strikes against IS in Syria, he added.
The US has said Russia's strikes are "only strengthening" the IS position. Russia said its aircraft had hit IS command centres and arms depots.
US President Barack Obama has said Russia's strikes - which began on Wednesday - are "only strengthening" the IS position.
'Unguided munitions'
Mr Fallon said initial Ministry of Defence intelligence suggested only one in 20 Russian air attacks so far had been on targets to damage IS.Mr Fallon said initial Ministry of Defence intelligence suggested only one in 20 Russian air attacks so far had been on targets to damage IS.
He said: "We're analysing where the strikes are going every morning. The vast majority are not against IS at all.He said: "We're analysing where the strikes are going every morning. The vast majority are not against IS at all.
"Our evidence indicates they are dropping unguided munitions in civilian areas, killing civilians, and they are dropping them against the Free Syrian forces fighting Assad. He's shoring up Assad and perpetuating the suffering.""Our evidence indicates they are dropping unguided munitions in civilian areas, killing civilians, and they are dropping them against the Free Syrian forces fighting Assad. He's shoring up Assad and perpetuating the suffering."
Mr Fallon said Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to become involved "has complicated the situation" but it would be "morally wrong" for the UK not to target IS in Syria, as well as Iraq.Mr Fallon said Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to become involved "has complicated the situation" but it would be "morally wrong" for the UK not to target IS in Syria, as well as Iraq.
"We can't leave it to French and Australian, American aircraft to keep our own British streets safe," he said. "We can't leave it to French, Australian and American aircraft to keep our own British streets safe," he said.
Russia said its aircraft had hit IS command centres, arms depots and military vehicles. Targets included the IS stronghold of Raqqa, but also Aleppo, Hama and Idlib - provinces with little IS presence. Russia's targets included the IS stronghold of Raqqa, but also Aleppo, Hama and Idlib - provinces with little IS presence.
US President Barack Obama has said the Russian bombing campaign is driving moderate opposition underground. President Obama has said the Russian bombing campaign is driving moderate opposition underground.
Mr Obama said he rejected the Russian assertion that all armed opponents of the "brutal" Mr Assad were terrorists. He also rejected the Russian assertion that all armed opponents of the "brutal" Mr Assad were terrorists.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued in recent weeks that his country's operation in Syria is designed to prevent the type of state implosion that took place in Libya after Nato's intervention there in 2011.But Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued in recent weeks that his country's operation in Syria is designed to prevent the type of state implosion that took place in Libya after Nato's intervention there in 2011.
Meanwhile, a former senior military adviser told BBC2's Newsnight the UK's policy in Syria had been hampered by "wishful thinking" about what would happen to President Assad's regime.Meanwhile, a former senior military adviser told BBC2's Newsnight the UK's policy in Syria had been hampered by "wishful thinking" about what would happen to President Assad's regime.
Lt Gen Sir Simon Mayall said that UK policy makers had got caught up in the excitement of the Arab spring and hoped the Syrian leader would be swiftly overthrown, whereas the Russians had been "in many ways more realistic about the staying power of Assad".Lt Gen Sir Simon Mayall said that UK policy makers had got caught up in the excitement of the Arab spring and hoped the Syrian leader would be swiftly overthrown, whereas the Russians had been "in many ways more realistic about the staying power of Assad".
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Media offensive - What does the campaign look like through the lens of Russian media?Media offensive - What does the campaign look like through the lens of Russian media?
Inside an air strike - Activist describes "frightening Russian air strike"Inside an air strike - Activist describes "frightening Russian air strike"