MOSCOW, October 6 (Sputnik) – Islamic State militants operating in Syria know that Russia respects mosques and are using them as cover, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Tuesday.
“We have information today that terrorists are hiding in mosques and we have information and video that show terrorists hiding their equipment around mosques,” Antonov said after a meeting with military attaches from several countries.
He said that Russia respects religious facilities and that the terrorists know this very well.
“Knowing our respect to mosques, they understand very well that we will never under any circumstances strike a non-military facility,” Antonov added.