Two Russian Emergencies Ministry planes with humanitarian aid for conflict-torn Syria landed in Damascus on Monday, the ministry’s press service said.
The flights were ordered by the Russian government and were coordinated by the Foreign Ministry. The two Il-76 transports brought a total of more than 78 tons of humanitarian aid, including tents, blankets, canned foods, sugar, baby food and field kitchens.
Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Syria last month and bowed out of an international conference aimed at applying more pressure on the Damascus government over its continued crackdown on anti-government protesters. Both countries have, however, backed calls for humanitarian aid to be allowed access to the worst-hit areas.
Rights groups say more than 7,000 people have been killed in almost a year of unrest, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad blames on "armed terrorist gangs."
