Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov vowed to "actively support" Syrian troops from the air around Aleppo Monday, after a weekend of fierce fighting left dozens dead in the divided city, AFP reports.
Speaking in Moscow, Lavrov said Russia has waited long enough for Syria's moderate opposition to leave areas controlled by jihadist groups, and that air raids by Russia should "not be a surprise".
"What is happening in Aleppo and around it now, we warned the Americans about this in advance, and they know that we will be actively supporting the Syrian army from the air to prevent terrorists from seizing territory," he told a press conference.