Russia was not involved in an airstrike on a school
complex in Idlib province, Syria, which took place on Wednesday,
the Foreign Ministry has said.
At least 28 civilians, mostly children, were killed when an
airstrike hit a school complex in the village of Hass, activists
say, pinning the blame on Russian or Syrian warplanes.
"Everyone has accused Russia and Syrian forces of the attack,
saying directly that it was a bombardment carried out by Russia and
Syria. This is a lie. Russia has nothing to do with this dreadful
attack," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said
in a statement.
The latest bulletin from the Russian Center for Reconciliation
doesn’t mention any operations in Idlib province.
The ministry said that it is investigating the data in
connection with the Idlib attack.
Russia "calls upon all international organizations to join the
investigation" into the incident, she said.
Initially the incident was reported by the controversial
two-man, London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the
Western-funded Civil Defense Network, also known as the White
Helmets. The opposition Idlib Media Center also confirmed a strike
on a school, claiming a "rocket" struck the premises.
The Idlib attack was condemned by the UN Children’s Rights &
Emergency Relief Organization, which labeled it a potential "war
crime." The group said it is likely the "deadliest attack on a
school" since the beginning of the Syrian war.
"This is a tragedy. It is an outrage. And if deliberate, it is a
war crime. Children lost forever to their families … teachers lost
forever to their students … one more scar on Syria’s future,"
UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said.
Idlib province in northwestern Syria is controlled by the Army
of Conquest, a conglomerate of rebel groups being run by Fateh
al-Sham Front (formerly Al-Nusra Front). Under the truce earlier
agreed between Russia and the US, Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front
fighters will continue to be targeted in airstrikes until
terrorists lay down their weapons.