Russia says 3 of its troops injured in Aleppo despite ceasefire

Russia has said three of its troops were injured in Aleppo on Thursday, the first day of a unilateral ceasefire in the partly besieged city.

The bulletin was issued by the Russian centre that supervises the ceasefire, which did not give any further information about how the troops were injured or how severely.

Russian media, however, reported that the troops were wounded by rebel fire close to one of the eight humanitarian corridors that was established in the city on Thursday to allow civilians and rebels to leave.

Russia had said earlier on Thursday that it would cease bombing eastern Aleppo for 11 hours each day for four consecutive days, but only if rebel groups do not use the pause to launch further attacks or regroup.

Rebels have rejected the unilateral ceasefire, with Jabhat Fateh al-Sham - the newly rebranded al-Nusra Front - saying they were instead preparing for a new battle that would "surprise" government forces and their allies.

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