Russian nuclear missiles have BERLIN within range: Fallon launches attack on Putin
THE alarm was sounded on Russia today after Moscow deployed nuclear-capable missiles within firing distance of Berlin.
British Defence security Fallon says Russia must be held accountable over civilian deaths in Aleppo
It comes as tensions between the US and Russia reach boiling point over bombing in Syria.
Sir Michael Fallon said yesterday: "Russia must be held accountable over civilian deaths in Aleppo."
He spoke out following repeated airstrikes on Syria’s second city, including one on a UN aid convoy, killed dozens of last month.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said there is strong evidence that Russian planes were the perpetrators of the attack on the aid convoy, which he described as a war crime.
Sir Michael was asked yesterday whether he agreed with his Cabinet colleague.
He said: “I would endorse that. It looks as if they did target that particular convoy and if that can be established, then yes, they should be held accountable.”
On Saturday, Russia vetoed a resolution at the United Nations Security Council to stop the bombing in Aleppo by creating “safe zones”.
Sir Michael added: “Russia is determined to prolong this civil war; it is conniving with the regime’s bombing of civilians and may indeed have been bombing civilians themselves.”
He also warned that British warplanes could be at risk if they were called on to patrol the zones.
Aleppo - Syias's second city - has suffered repeated airstrike
Sir Michael added: “It is impossible to have safe zones if we can’t be sure that our planes won’t be attacked by Russia in the air but we’re going to continue to work at it.”
Russia is determined to prolong this civil war
But Russia yesterday defended its decision to veto the UN resolution to stop bombing.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the lack of airstrikes could actually help terrorists.
It said: “An explicit attempt was made, by banning flights in the Aleppo area, to provide cover for the terrorists of Jabhat Al-Nusra and associated militants.”
Russia also bemoaned the US’s increasing hostility towards Moscow.
Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov claims that Russophobia is to blame
Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday complained about what he said was a series of aggressive US steps that threatened Russia’s national security.
He made it clear he blamed the Obama administration for what he described as a sharp deterioration in US and Russia ties.
Mr Lavrov said: “We have witnessed a fundamental change of circumstances when it comes to the aggressive Russophobia that now lies at the heart of US policy towards Russia.
“It’s not just a rhetorical Russophobia, but aggressive steps that really hurt our national interests and pose a threat to our security.
“This is a very dangerous game given that Russia, being in Syria at the invitation of the legitimate government of this country and having two bases there, has got air defence systems there to protect its assets.”