17 March 2017•Update: 17 March 2017
By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW
Russian Defense Ministry has asked the U.S. for an explanation over Thursday's airstrike on a mosque in northwestern Syria as it distanced itself from any role in the attack.
Russia also said Friday it did not doubt the U.S. was targeting terrorists.
Russian Tass News Agency quoted Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying: "Moscow has no doubts that the U.S. airstrikes, delivered at the Syrian village of al-Jina on Thursday, had targeted terrorists."
Earlier, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov distanced his country from any blame over the attack.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Konashenkov said: "AGM-114 Hellfire missiles used by the coalition forces were found at the scene. That evidence contradicts blame on Russia."
He also criticized the Western media, saying "they should first carry out a detailed investigation before doing anti-Russia broadcasts."
He added that Russia expects an explanation from American authorities.
An aerial attack on a mosque during prayer time in the Syrian city of Aleppo killed 58 people late on Thursday.
The attack in the city’s Al-Etarip area also left dozens of others wounded.
Syrian and Russian warplanes operate in the area and the U.S. military said it carried out an air attack on al-Qaeda-linked militants on Thursday but denied hitting a mosque.
