MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The resumption of humanitarian pauses in Syria's embattled city of Aleppo is possible only if the Russian military receives solid guarantees from the UN officials on cessation of hostilities by the militants as well as safe evacuation of wounded and sick from areas controlled by terrorists, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
"We have not received such guarantees from UN officials so far," ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said in response to suggestion by adviser to UN special envoy to Syria Jan Egeland that UN expects to receive consent from Russia and Syria on a new humanitarian pause in Aleppo by November 24.
Konashenkov stressed that the militants continue shelling residential areas in Aleppo killing dozens of civilians, including children.
"In such circumstances, poorly coordinated humanitarian pauses could be used again by terrorists to replenish supplies and continue massive attacks," the official added.