Russian Defense Ministry comments on claims of violating EU sanctions

EU sanctions on fuel supplies to Syria do not affect the Russian air group based at the Khmeimim airbase as its combat operations in the war-torn country are part of Russia's contribution to the fight against terrorism, the representative of the Russian Defense Ministry Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.

"The existing intrigues, restrictions and 'sanctions' within the European Union against fuel supplies to Syria cannot affect the Russian air group at all," Sputnik cited Konashenkov as saying.

Konashenkov added that the Russian combat planes do not and will not have any shortages of jet fuel, especially when it comes to the fight against international terrorism.