U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power told a Security Council meeting on October 22 that Russia's actions in Syria were fortifying Islamic State militants, killing dozens of civilians, forcing thousands to flee their homes, and destroying schools and markets, RFE/RL has reported.
Power referred to a Reuters analysis of Russian Defense Ministry data that found almost 80% of Russia's declared targets in Syria have been in areas not held by Islamic State.
"By attacking non-extremist groups Russia has boosted, perversely, the relative strength of [Islamic State], which has taken advantage of this campaign by seizing new territory in rural Aleppo," Power said.
"Since Russia began its strikes the Syrian map has shifted in [Islamic State's] favor," she said.
