A Reuters analysis revealing that four-fifths of Russia’s Syria strikes don’t target Islamic State was referenced at a U.N. Security Council Meeting on Thursday.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said, "Reuters reported a very credible study of Russian strikes, which showed that 80 percent of the targets that Russia has hit are located outside of ISIL control. By attacking non-extremist groups, Russia has boosted – perversely – the relative strength of ISIL, which has taken advantage of this campaign by seizing new territory in rural Aleppo."
Russian Defence Ministry data examined by Reuters undermines Moscow’s claims that its goal is to defeat Islamic State. It supports assertions from Washington and its NATO allies that Russia’s intervention in Syria is designed to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.