MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Syrian government forces liberated another five residential areas of eastern Aleppo, taking control over 96 percent of the embattled city, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.
"The Syrian authorities have now full control over 96 percent of Aleppo, while the militants still control up to 8.5 square kilometers in the eastern part of the city," ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.